Updated (2012-01-11): Refreshed content with changes to the 1.6 Windows Azure SDK

Synopsis

Before you can create packages or use the local Windows Azure cloud emulator you will need to install the Windows Azure development environment. This article will step you through the process of automatically installing all the components using the Microsoft Web Platform Installer.

Install the components

There are several components that need to be installed, luckily there are a few simple links that will preload the Microsoft Web Platform Installer with the correct packages.

PHP 5.3.x

Use the following link to install PHP. The latest 5.3.x version will be installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/web/gallery/install.aspx?appid=PHP53

Windows Azure SDK

The Windows Azure SDK contains all the needed pieces to test and package applications for the local emulator, as well as deployment to Windows Azure. Use the following link to install the Windows Azure SDK.

http://www.microsoft.com/web/gallery/install.aspx?appid=WindowsAzureSDK

SQL Server Express

SQL Server is optional, however in order to use any of the storage emulator features SQL Server must be installed. SQL Server Express is provided free and will work fine for the emulator if you do not have a full SQL Server installation. Use the following link to install SQL Server Express.

http://www.microsoft.com/web/gallery/install.aspx?appid=sqlexpress

If a component fails to install

Occasionally, one or more components will fail to download and install. If this occurs, simply select the failed package from the Microsoft Web Platform Installer and retry.

Starting the development environment

You may exit the WebPI and start up the development environment to verify that it works.

Compute Emulator

On your Start Menu you should have a new item called "Windows Azure Emulators" followed by a version number. Open that folder and for now we will be working with the Compute Emulator. Click "Compute Emulator" to start the emulator. This may take a few seconds. If any security notices pop up allow them.

After the Compute Emulator has started you will have a new icon in your system tray. From that icon you can open the Compute UI, start/stop the Compute Emulator, and start/stop the Storage Emulator.

Storage Emulator

Head back to the Start Menu and run "Storage Emulator" (Alternately you may control both emulators from the new system tray icon).

If the storage emulator successfully started you will see a screen similar to the following.

Congratulations, you are now ready to build, test and deploy PHP applications to the Windows Azure cloud!

Troubleshooting

'php' is not recognized as an internal or external command

If the php command is not found you will have to manually set the path to your PHP installation. Open the Start Menu and right click on "Computer". Select "Properties".

On the left side of the properties dialog you will see "Advanced system settings", click on this and click "Environment Variables" in the new dialog.

The lower section, titled "System variables" contain the path statement we are looking for. Scroll down until you find "Path", click to highlight and click the edit button. In the new dialog that shows add ";C:\Program Files\PHP\v5.3" to the end of the Variable value textbox and click ok until all the dialogs have disappeared.

Now, (re)-open your Compute Emulator terminal and PHP should now be accessible.

MSVCR71.dll is missing

If you receive an error such as the one below, please see the article, " Troubleshooting an MSVCR71.dll Error"