why do I keep getting error 403?

Question

i have xampp installed but each time i try to acess localhost/c:/xampp/htdocs/index.php through my browser i get error 403: access forbidden. I also tried wamp, with the same result (they have a terrible UI) I am running windows 10, will that cause any issues?

Answer 1

XAMPP keeps your project files in the "C:\Users\xampp\htdocs" directory by default. So all your project folders should be located in that directory. But for navigation in your browser you don't include the full path to htdocs in the URL, you just go to http://localhost/yourProjectFile/index.php. For instance if your folder is MyWebsite, you would access it in your favorite browser by going to:
http://localhost/MyWebsite/index.php

Note: Before this, run the XAMPP or WAMP control panel and start the Apache Service. If you're using a database, start the MySQL service as well.

Make sure you:
1. Install XAMPP or WAMP as admin.
2. Run the XAMPP or WAMP control panel as Admin.
3. Make sure you are logged in to an account with Admin privileges before testing your web app.

Cheers!

Answer 2

examining the location you try to access, should have lead you straight to the answer.

think about it. you try to read from any Hardware location through a server.
don't you think that would be the worst possible behavior a Server could provide?