Xampp With Php 7.4 - Online
Copy php.ini-development from the new folder, rename it to php.ini, then edit it to match your XAMPP extensions:
extension_dir = "C:\xampp\php\ext"
extension=mysqli
extension=pdo_mysql
extension=openssl
extension=curl
extension=mbstring
; Enable these only if needed
; extension=gd
; extension=zip
Since Apache Friends (the creators of XAMPP) promotes the latest PHP version on their main download page, finding version 7.4 requires looking at the archives. Xampp With Php 7.4 -
Error: httpd: Syntax error ... Cannot load php7apache2_4.dll
Fix: You are missing the Visual C++ Redistributable. Download and install the latest VC++ Redistributable (VS16) from Microsoft. Copy php
If you already have a modern XAMPP (PHP 8.x) but need to downgrade to PHP 7.4 for a specific project, follow this advanced manual swap. Since Apache Friends (the creators of XAMPP) promotes
Once you have XAMPP with PHP 7.4, you must enable the correct extensions. Open your php.ini and ensure these are uncommented:
| Extension | Purpose |
| :--- | :--- |
| extension=gd | Image manipulation (WordPress themes) |
| extension=curl | API requests and remote data fetching |
| extension=zip | Composer and CMS updates |
| extension=fileinfo | Required by Laravel and Symfony |
| extension=mbstring | Multibyte string handling |
| extension=openssl | HTTPS local certificates |
Pro Tip: For Laravel 6/7, also enable extension=pdo_sqlite for testing and extension=bcmath for precise calculations.
