When you activate Movable Type, you add a package of files to your web site that makes up your blog pages and allows you to use the Movable Type tools to create, manage, and publish your own blog.

If you choose the standard activation path, your blog files will be installed automatically in a default subdirectory that we create for you. If you choose the custom path, you'll be able to save your blog files in the default folder; a new folder you name yourself; or a subdirectory you already created. You can install your files in a directory one level beneath your main (root) directory, such as widgetdesigns.com/blog/ (a default directory) or widgetdesigns.com/movabletype/ (another subdirectory), for example. The name of this directory will appear in the web address of your blog pages (except your blog home page, if you choose to make your blog your home page).

We'll then automatically create a second directory that will store your blog administration files — the files that make your blog work. The second directory will be based on the name of the first. For instance, if you chose to save your blog files in the directory widgetdesigns.com/blog1/, we'll create a second directory for your administration files called widgetdesigns.com/blog-mt1/. The name of this directory appears in the web address of your Movable Type control panel (see below).

You can install your Movable Type files in any directory you like, as specified above. To simplify your ongoing file management, however, we recommend installing Movable Type in either the default directory or a directory with an easily identifiable name, such as movabletype or myblog. We recommend that you do not move or rename your installation folders anytime. Learn more.

Tip: Be sure not to install your blog files in an SSL-protected directory or in a directory in which you have already installed a PHP-based tool, such as phpMyAdmin or any advanced add-on. Installing your blog files in these directories will prevent your blog or other PHP-based tools from functioning properly.