Windows – How to get Apache to work if System is using Port 80

apache-http-serverwindows 7xampp

I've spent hours researching and trying all kinds of things to get Apache running as part of Xampp, but nothing is working.

  • I've turned off Skype
  • Changed values in the registry
  • Uninstalled IIS and IIS manager

…and still no luck.

I'm running a Windows 7 Dell laptop. When I run netstat from command line, and look up the processes/services, I find out that System is using port 80.

I'm too afraid of ending that service, so I thought I have nothing else to do but post a question online. I've spent way too much time working on this, so hopefully someone knows what's going on.

Best Answer

I found the following link useful while in a similar situation:

http://www.lukebrowning.com/blog/nt-kernel-system-using-port-80/

It appears there are a couple of different applications that can cause this same problem;

  1. IIS is still running.
  2. SQL Server Reporting Services is running.
  3. Web Deployment Agent Service is running (this was my problem).

To fix my issue (number 3), I followed the following procedure:

  1. Open up the services screen (Right click "Computer" from either your desktop or start menu, then "Manage". Once the window has opened, expand "Services and Applications" and select "Services").
  2. On the services screen there should be one called "Web Deployment Agent Service", if this is running, double click it and stop the service.
  3. Finally, change the startup type to "Disabled".

Now if you try to run apache on port 80, it should start fine!

In my case I had the reporting services left running and shutting it down resolved the issue.

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