--- title: "How to Install Drupal with Softaculous" description: "Install Drupal Core or Drupal CMS through Softaculous, fill in the directory and admin account fields correctly, and find the /user/login page afterwards." url: "https://docs.noiz.ie/softaculous/how-to-install-drupal-with-softaculous/" section: "Softaculous" categories: - "Applications > Softaculous" last_reviewed: "27 July 2026, against the current Softaculous release, installing the current Drupal core release" --- # How to Install Drupal with Softaculous This guide shows you how to install Drupal on your hosting account using Softaculous, the one-click application installer (sometimes called an apps installer or auto-installer) included in your hosting control panel. Softaculous creates the database, copies the Drupal files and completes the initial setup for you, so there is nothing to upload or configure by hand. It is written for anyone setting up a new Drupal site on a Noiz hosting plan, and no Drupal experience is needed. By the end you will have a working Drupal site and know where to log in to its administration area. **Last reviewed:** 27 July 2026, against the current Softaculous release, installing the current Drupal core release. This guide is written for Noiz hosting and is kept current against Softaculous and Drupal. It complements, and does not replace, the official Softaculous and Drupal documentation linked below. ### Official Documentation Reference - [Softaculous: Install a Script](https://www.softaculous.com/docs/enduser/install-a-script/) - [Softaculous: Quick Install a Script](https://www.softaculous.com/docs/enduser/quick-install-a-script/) - [Drupal core releases (current stable version)](https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal) - [Drupal: PHP requirements](https://www.drupal.org/docs/getting-started/system-requirements/php-requirements) - [Drupal CMS project page](https://www.drupal.org/project/cms) ## Prerequisites - A Noiz hosting plan that includes the Softaculous apps installer. - A domain or subdomain that already points to your hosting account. - Your control panel login details. If your plan uses Plesk, see [How to log in to Plesk](/plesk/how-to-log-in-to-plesk/). - PHP `8.3` or newer enabled for the domain. Drupal 11 does not install on older PHP versions. ## Step 1: Open Softaculous 1. Log in to your hosting control panel. 2. Find and open Softaculous. Its location varies between control panels: a **Softaculous** entry in the Plesk left-hand menu, **Softaculous Apps Installer** in the **Software** section of cPanel, or **Softaculous Apps Installer** under **Extra Features** in DirectAdmin. For step-by-step help on your panel, see the guide for [Plesk](/softaculous/how-to-access-softaculous-in-plesk/), [cPanel](/softaculous/how-to-access-softaculous-in-cpanel/), [DirectAdmin](/softaculous/how-to-access-softaculous-in-directadmin/) or [ISPConfig](/softaculous/how-to-access-softaculous-in-ispconfig/). ![The Plesk left-hand menu with the Softaculous entry highlighted](/images/kb/155_softaculous-apps-installer-control-panel.png) ## Step 2: Choose the Right Drupal Package In the Softaculous category list on the left, open **Portals/CMS**, or type `Drupal` into the search box at the top. Softaculous currently lists two Drupal packages: - **Drupal Core** (sometimes listed simply as Drupal): the standard Drupal installation. This guide follows this option. - **Drupal CMS**: a ready-to-use bundle built on Drupal 11 core, pre-configured with media management, SEO and other features aimed at marketing teams and site builders. Once installed it is still ordinary Drupal underneath, and the Softaculous form is essentially the same, so you can follow this guide for either package. Click the package you want to install. ![The Softaculous Portals/CMS category, with Drupal Core and Drupal CMS highlighted in the expanded category list on the left](/images/kb/156_softaculous-drupal-portal-cms-category.png) ## Step 3: Start the Installation 1. On the Drupal overview page, click the **Install** tab (or the **Install Now** button). 2. If a small arrow next to **Install** offers a choice between **Quick Install** and **Custom Install**, choose **Custom Install**. Quick Install fills most settings with defaults, while Custom Install shows every field on the form. ## Step 4: Check the Settings That Matter Most fields on the form are pre-filled with safe defaults. The official [Install a Script](https://www.softaculous.com/docs/enduser/install-a-script/) page describes the whole form. Before you click **Install**, check these: - **Choose the version you want to install**: leave the newest version selected unless you have a specific reason to install an older supported branch. - **Choose Installation URL**: set the protocol to `https://` (Noiz hosting plans include an SSL certificate) and read the selected domain carefully. If your account holds several domains, the one pre-selected is not always the one you meant. - **In Directory**: leave this blank to install Drupal on the root of the domain, for example `https://yourdomain.com` (replace `yourdomain.com` with your own domain throughout this guide). Only enter a folder name if you want the site at an address such as `https://yourdomain.com/drupal`. - **Cron Job**: leave the default. Drupal relies on scheduled cron runs for maintenance tasks, and Softaculous sets this up for you. - **Admin Username**: do not use `admin` or `administrator`. Set a strong, unique password (the key icon generates one), use an **Admin Email** you actually receive mail at, and record the details in a password manager. - **Automated backups** (under **Advanced Options**): scheduled backups give you a way back if an update or change goes wrong. Keep the rotation modest, because backups count towards your hosting plan's disk space. ![Softaculous Drupal installation form showing the Software Setup section with version, installation URL and directory fields](/images/kb/157_softaculous-drupal-install-form-software-setup.png) ## Step 5: Run the Installer and Log In 1. Scroll to the bottom of the form and click **Install**. 2. Wait while Softaculous copies the files and creates the database. This usually takes under a minute; do not close the browser tab while the progress bar is running. 3. When the installation completes, Softaculous shows two links: one to your new website and one to its administration area. 4. You can reach the Drupal login page at any time at `https://yourdomain.com/user/login` (again, replace `yourdomain.com` with your own domain). Log in with the admin username and password you set in Step 4. ![Softaculous success screen after installing Drupal, showing the site URL and administrative URL links](/images/kb/165_softaculous-drupal-install-success-links.png) ## Troubleshooting **You cannot find Softaculous in your control panel**: not every hosting plan includes the installer. Open a support ticket with the Noiz support team to confirm whether your plan includes Softaculous. **The installer reports that files already exist in the target directory**: Softaculous refuses to overwrite an existing site. Either install into a different directory, or remove the old files first, but only after taking a backup of anything you still need. **The installer reports an unsupported PHP version**: Drupal 11 requires PHP `8.3` or newer. Change the PHP version for the domain in your control panel, or ask the Noiz support team to do it, then run the installation again. **You cannot find the Drupal login page**: unlike some other content management systems, Drupal does not link to its login page from the site itself by default. Go directly to `https://yourdomain.com/user/login`. If you get stuck at any point, open a support ticket with the Noiz support team and include your domain name and the step where the installation failed. The team can confirm Softaculous availability, adjust PHP versions and check the installation logs for you. --- Source: https://docs.noiz.ie/softaculous/how-to-install-drupal-with-softaculous/