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How to Download and Install PrestaShop 1.6.x

This guide shows how to get PrestaShop 1.6 and set it up on your hosting.

Online Stores2 min read18 steps5 screenshots
Tip: PrestaShop 1.6 is old software. Newer versions install in a similar way, but need newer PHP. Always prefer a current release for a new shop.

What is PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is free software for building an online shop. You upload it to your hosting, then a setup wizard builds the shop. You need a domain, hosting, and a database. A database is like a filing cabinet where the shop keeps products and orders.

Before you start

  • PrestaShop 1.6 works with older PHP, such as 5.x and 7.0 to 7.1. Ask Hostvento support how to choose that PHP version on your plan.
  • Your welcome email has your control panel login.

Steps

  1. Download the PrestaShop 1.6 zip file from the official PrestaShop site or its release archive. The file is a zip.
  2. Log in to your control panel.
  3. Open MySQL Databases. Create a new database, a new user and a strong password.
  4. Add the user to the database and give it All Privileges. Write down the three details.
  5. Open File Manager and go to public_html.
  6. Click Upload and choose the zip file.
  7. Right-click the zip file and choose Extract. The zip may contain a second zip, called prestashop.zip. Extract that one too.
  8. Make sure the installer folder (called install) is in your web folder.
  9. Open your domain in a browser. The installer starts.
  10. Choose your language and click Next.
    prestashop welcome page
    prestashop prestashop licenses
    prestastop system compatibility
  11. Accept the licence and click Next.
  12. Read the compatibility check. Fix any red items. Ask support if you need help.
  13. Fill in your shop name, country, and your own name, email and a strong password. This is your admin login.
    prestashop store info
    prestashop system config
  14. On the database page, type the database server (usually localhost), database name, user and password. Click Test your database connection now.
  15. Click Next. The installer builds the shop.

After installing

  1. Delete the install folder in File Manager. This is important for safety.
  2. Rename the admin folder. The installer shows its new name. Save that name.
  3. Log in at yourdomain.com/your-admin-folder.

Quick recap

  • Create a database and user first.
  • Upload and extract PrestaShop.
  • Run the web installer and enter the database details.
  • Delete the install folder and note the admin folder name.