Upgrade from 1.8.3 to latest version

[djthumper]

I recently inherited a system with XAMPP 1.8.3 and need to upgrade it to the latest version to stay in compliance of our security. What is the best way to do this?

[JJ_Tagy]

need to upgrade it to the latest version to stay in compliance of our security

If you use as a development tool, this statement makes no sense.

There is no "easy button" upgrade. You must export your data from the old install and import into the new one. You will also need to migrate your settings manually as Apache 2.2 to 2.4 have big changes.

[skibbbi]

http://techsini.com/how-to-update-xampp-to-the-latest-version/

[Altrea]

Hi skibbbi,

http://techsini.com/how-to-update-xampp-to-the-latest-version/

This is only half of the truth, because updating is not always as easy as described here.
Especially if you change the Minor/Major version of a component (like from Apache 2.2 to Apache 2.4, or from PHP 5 to PHP 7) it can be a tough job to get your application running again.

What i don't like on that tutorial is point 4. It needs to be much clearer that you should only export/import your OWN databases (like from your webapplication).
Transfering any of the core databases like "mysql" or "information_schema" can make your whole installation irreparable.

The tutorial does not tell you anything about transfering existing database users (if you created any)
And the tutorial does not tell you about problems with missing runtimes (like Visual C++) or missing fragments of the previous installation (windows services, etc.).

And to be absolutely sure and clear:
We will not provide any support for issues existing after following any foreign tutorials

best wishes,
Altrea

[skibbbi]

I have included this tutorial as an inspiration. At least, it is where to start. Tutorial help me, but I develop only Joomla.