Updating your PHP version in XAMPP is crucial for compatibility with modern frameworks and security improvements. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to update PHP in XAMPP in 2025, ensuring your local development environment stays up to date.
Download the Latest PHP Version:
Visit the official PHP website to download the latest PHP version compatible with your system.
Extract the PHP Files:
Unzip the downloaded PHP files to a temporary location on your computer.
Stop the XAMPP Server:
Ensure that both the Apache and MySQL services are stopped using the XAMPP Control Panel. This prevents conflicts during the update process.
Replace the Old PHP Folder:
php
directory within your XAMPP installation (e.g., C:\xampp\php
).php_old
for backup purposes.php
.Update the php.ini
File:
php.ini
configuration file to the new PHP folder.Modify the Apache Configuration:
If needed, adjust the httpd-xampp.conf
file located in the apache
folder. Ensure the PHP module directive is updated to point to the new PHP directory path.
Restart XAMPP:
Start the Apache and MySQL services again using the XAMPP Control Panel. Verify that the PHP version has been updated by accessing localhost/dashboard/phpinfo.php
in your browser.
Regularly updating PHP not only provides security patches and new features but also optimizes performance. If you’re using frameworks like CakePHP, staying updated becomes even more vital. Discover why to choose the CakePHP framework to enhance your development experience and learn more about CakePHP performance optimization.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure your XAMPP environment is running with the latest PHP version, prepared for modern web challenges in 2025.