Would you like a sample htaccess configuration for PHP 7.4, or help converting a project from PHP 5.6 to 7.4?
# Threads per child (reduce for low RAM) ThreadsPerChild 100 MaxConnectionsPerChild 1000
A 32-bit architecture limits any single process to a maximum of 2GB to 4GB of RAM. Do not allocate excessive memory to PHP scripts. Modify these lines to keep the environment stable:
Windows User Account Control (UAC) might warn you about restricted write permissions. Click OK , but remember to install XAMPP outside of the default C:\Program Files directory.
: Many older plugins and themes haven't yet made the jump to PHP 8.x. The Setup: Running XAMPP 32-bit xampp 32 bits php 7.4
If you already have a 32-bit XAMPP base (e.g., version 7.2 or 7.3) and need PHP 7.4: YouTube·Amit Thinks How to Install PHP 7.4.11 on Windows 10
Go to the official or the XAMPP Downloads archive. Navigate to XAMPP Windows .
PHP 7.4, released November 28, 2019, was the final feature release of the PHP 7 series. It introduced preloading, typed properties, arrow functions, and FFI (Foreign Function Interface). Its active support ended on November 28, 2021, and security support ended on November 28, 2022. Yet, as of 2025, many legacy applications (e.g., early WordPress 5.x, Drupal 7/8, Moodle 3.9, and custom frameworks) stubbornly require exactly PHP 7.4 and cannot run on PHP 8.x without significant refactoring.
Because PHP 7.4 is considered a legacy version, the current "latest download" on the Apache Friends homepage will not have it. You will need to access the archived versions. Would you like a sample htaccess configuration for PHP 7
Test environment:
(Warning: Do not set this to higher than 2G or -1 on a 32-bit system, as 32-bit PHP can only address a maximum of 2GB to 4GB of RAM per process, and overloading it will crash Apache).
Do you require any (like cURL, OpenSSL, or custom database drivers)? Share public link
<?php phpinfo();
Open the XAMPP Control Panel, click the button next to Apache, and select PHP (php.ini) .
If Apache refuses to start, another program (like Skype, VMware, or Windows IIS) is likely using port 80 or 443.
It is highly recommended to temporarily disable antivirus software, as it can hinder the installation. Ensure UAC (User Account Control) is not restrictive.
Locate the directory version (e.g., 7.4.27 or the final 7.4 release). Modify these lines to keep the environment stable: