How do I make a copy of WordPress to other folder

Question

Currently I have my WordPress up and running fine on the root folder of my production server. Now I would like to copy almost everything (except database and url) into other folder for testing purpose, lets say /newsite.

1. What's the most convenient way to do this ?
2. Do I have to play with the .htaccess file ? At this moment I don't even use this file on the production server, Is this bad ?
3. Will Wordpress multisite be able to separate production and development site ? How about the database separation ?

Basically in the end I would want to have

• www.mydomain.com as the main site

• www.mydomain.com/newsite as the testing site

I have full access with FTP. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

If you want to move wordpress you should this: http://codex.wordpress.org/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory

I guess you want to create a development environment, and because you never edit core files of Wordpress you don't have to copy Wordpress itself because the only thing you are changing is the theme folder. And you don't want to install Wordpress a second time in a sub-directory so maybe you should try creating a sub-domain: http://semperfiwebdesign.com/blog/setting-up-a-wordpress-development-environment-on-your-hosted-server/