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How to Remove index.php from URLs to Improve Website Loading Speed

M66 2025-08-07

Why Remove index.php from URLs?

Many websites include the index.php filename in their URLs, for example www.example.com/index.php. This not only affects the URL's appearance and user experience but may also increase server loading time. By removing index.php, the server can respond to requests faster, thereby improving overall website speed and user satisfaction.

How to Remove index.php?

Removing index.php mainly relies on server rewrite rules. Below are the specific steps using an Apache server as an example:

Create or edit the .htaccess file in your website's root directory and add the following code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php/$1 [L]

Save and upload the .htaccess file to the root directory of your website.

Then, modify your index.php file by moving the entry configurations to appropriate locations to ensure the website functions normally without index.php in the URL.

Important Notes

  • Always back up your original configuration files before making changes to prevent accidental service interruptions.
  • Ensure the syntax in .htaccess is correct to avoid server errors.
  • After removing index.php, test all website links and functions and adjust any issues promptly.

By following these steps, you can simplify your URL structure, improve website loading speed, and enhance user experience. Attention to detail often leads to significant performance improvements in website optimization.

Conclusion

Removing index.php from URLs not only boosts website performance but also makes links cleaner and more user-friendly. Properly configuring server rewrite rules is an effective method to speed up your website. We hope this article helps you optimize your website successfully.