How to use multiple PHP versions with Apache on Windows

In this tutorial where are going to explain how to use multiple php versions with our localhost in a pervious tutorial I've explained how to create your own localhost for windows

before starting make sure you've the following installed:

Apache Lounge

Must installed it and tested it is running correctly.

Download:
http://www.apachelounge.com/download/

I'm going to use v2.4.29 the lastest version for that tutorial date.

Any PHP version (Thread Safe)

Download:
http://windows.php.net/downloads

Create a directory such as C:php
Unzip a version of php (example php5.6 the zipped binary version, not the one with the installer), into a subdirectory of c:php)

Prepare any code editor

I'm going to use Notepad++ but you can use any other code editor. It should be fine.

Notepad++

Download:
https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

If the Apache service is running, stop it. In properties set it startup type to ‘Manual’.

First uninstall any pervious Apache service by using command prompt:

httpd.exe -k uninstall

Move any pervious version at C:\php to a sub folder for example if you've php7 version move it to C:\php\php7 after creating a new sub folder.

In this tutorial I'm going to use php7 as well as php5

So I've created 2 sub folders.

Unzip the other version of php (eg. 5.6) into a subdirectory.

Install PHP 7

Go to php7 folder rename php.ini-development to php.ini

Go to C:\Apache24\conf Edit httpd.conf

Add this for php after all modules:

and add the following at the end:

AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
# Choice between php versions

<ifdefine php7>
LoadModule php7_module C:/php/php7/php7/php7apache2_4.dll
    DirectoryIndex index.html index.php
    AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php
# configure the path to php.ini
    PHPIniDir "C:/php/php7"
</ifdefine>

Then open command prompt install and install the service:

httpd.exe -k install -n Apache_php7 -D php7
Refresh the services list, then there will be one named ‘Apache_php7′.

Test it by using:
<?php phpinfo() ?> in info.php file.

Browse to your localhost url:
localhost/info.php

Install PHP 5

Go to php5 folder rename php.ini-development to php.ini

Add this for php5 after php7 module:

<ifdefine php5>
LoadModule php5_module "C:/php/php5/php5apache2_4.dll"
    DirectoryIndex index.html index.php
    # configure the path to php.ini
    PHPIniDir "C:/php/php5"
</ifdefine>

Then open command prompt install and install the service:
httpd.exe -k install -n Apache_php5 -D php5
Refresh the services list, then there will be one named ‘Apache_php5′.

Test it by using:
<?php phpinfo() ?> in info.php file.

Browse to your localhost url:
localhost/info.php

You can find the two services at C:\Apache24\bin Then open ApacheMonitor.exe.

That is it, you will have 2 versions of PHP installed that you can switch between. Just stop 1 service and start the other.

Pervious tutorials:

Setup your own Apache MariaDB PHP phpMyAdmin on Windows!

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