Related to: Suggestions please for a home version control system and Best Subversion clients for Windows Vista (64bit). But different.
This is more of a request to learn how to set up subversion at home. As I just completed the process, I will share my answer below. Sweeet. It's free and it's easy.
I happen to be using Windows Vista 32-bit, business edition at home, and I am assuming Vista home edition would work as well.
Visual SVN Server is free and easy.
You may also consider using git which has a steep learning curve, but yields quite a lot of benefit over the long run.
My problem is that I use TortoiseSVN at work. I thought that was subversion, but in fact, it's just the client. You still want it, but you need a subversion "server" program. (Edit: Apparently, TortoiseSVN can be a complete solution, according to some of the other answers)
Don't worry, you can run it on plain ol' XP or Vista just fine. Here is my setup at home:
You're good to go. If you need clarification on any step, or if I missed anything, please let me know in the comments and I'll fix it.
You can use TortoiseSVN to make local repositories to work only with your computer, check this guide.
But if you want to setup a SVN server, you can use VisualSVN Server, free and very easy to configure and use.
Or maybe you want to host your source code, I use Assembla for my personal projects, you have Wiki, Track for ticket management, Subversion repositories, and more...
Other SVN Hosting options are:
But definitely if you setup your own server, you'll have unlimited growth and total control over your repositories, without paying anything...
You don't need any more software than TortoiseSVN. You can create a repository in any directory and then access it through the file system, or even over a network without needing to install any server software. Works a treat for small/personal projects.
I'd recommend TortoiseSVN.
Keep in mind that Subversion isn't really a client/server tool the same way a RDBMS is, so TortoiseSVN can be both the client and the server (in the sense that you can create a repository with it).
It's pretty much the only tool you need for SVN, though if you develop in Eclipse/Visual Studio/[insert your favorite IDE], you may want to look into using plug-ins for those tools.
If using a file-based repository on your own machine, at least keep it on a separate hard drive from your checked out code. And, as always, backups are your friend.
I like SVN a lot, and setting up the server-side of it with a BitNami Stack is easy as a few clicks. It comes packaged with apache and everything else you need.
Third that:
TortoiseSVN is for the client.
subversion installer for the server setting. (you don't need apache web server, if this isn't team development)
if you have a public address its ok.. but if you want it available online.. their is a public repo. its in assembla.com..
its a svn hosting, includes trac,, and others.. free 200 mb space for projects.. try it..