I need to know how to uninstall Apache on Windows XP.

I have no experience with Apache. I have a book on it (Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache) that I would really like to start using, but here's what happened:

-The book came with a disc and a "quick start" guide. After installing MySQL, Apache, and PHP from the disc, I am supposed to create some kind of PHP program to get PHP and Apache interacting. The book just kind of assumes that I would know how to do that. Of course, I didn't so I was stuck.

-The next chapter, which I didn't initially realize was there or I would've skipped straight to it, gives instructions on how to install these programs as if the book didn't come with a disc. So I decided to try to follow these instructions. The problem is that I don't know how to disable or uninstall Apache, so I can't really move forward at all. This is very frustrating.

-The directory for Apache in C/Windows/Apache doesn't have an "uninstall.exe" file or anything. I tried to delete the whole folder, but it didn't work. I really hope that it didn't delete the uninstall file and THEN stop working because x program was being used.

I have been searching all over the web. It may be out there but I can't find it, and it has been a tedious couple of hours. Any help is sincerely appreciated.

If I understood well, you are trying to learn how to program in PHP. Okay, I was once in your shoes so I will help you with that.

1) Uninstalling in Windows (in general)
Firstly, If you are trying to uninstall an application, the first place your should look is at the "Add/Remove Programs" at the "Control Panel" at Windows XP. If you do not find an entry for the program you want to uninstall, you should look under Start > Program in which the software that you want to get rid should have an entry. If under that folder you do not find a uninstaller like "Uninstall Bla Bla" or "Remove Bla Bla" there are application that can help you with that, such as FCleaner, Fine Uninstall, Handy Uninstaller, Revo Unisntaller (personal favorite). However, under no circumstance you should go straight to the folder and deleted it, unless you know what you are doing. Doing so, can orphan DLL's, leave unwanted entries at your Windows Registry.

2) Uninstalling Appache HTTP Server from your Windows XP.
On this one your are lucky, windows is the easiesit to do so. Okay:
1) go to control panel;
2) click on the "Add/Remove Program";
3) if the apache http server is installer, it should have an entry that reads something like this "Appache HTTP Server...";
4) click on such entry, and a "Remove" or "Uninstall" button should appear;
5) click on that button;
6) follow uninstaller's intruction and you should be fine.

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I hope this was some help to you. I hope I can give back as much as I was thought by the people on forums like this one.