Xampp Php 7.1.3 [2026 Update]

XAMPP with PHP 7.1.3: Solving Legacy Environment Headaches

Let’s be honest: PHP 7.1.3 is old (released March 2017). It’s no longer supported, and you shouldn’t use it for production. But in the real world, legacy projects happen.

Maybe you’re maintaining a client’s old system, need to match a staging server, or are running a vintage CMS. XAMPP with PHP 7.1.3 can be a lifesaver—if you know how to tame it.

Here’s your no‑fluff guide to making PHP 7.1.3 work reliably in XAMPP today.

Step-by-Step Download Process

Navigate to the SourceForge archive: Apache Friends hosts all older releases on SourceForge.
Select your OS:
- Windows: xampp-windows-x64-7.1.3-0-VC14-installer.exe
- Linux: xampp-linux-x64-7.1.3-0-installer.run
- macOS: xampp-osx-7.1.3-0-installer.dmg
Verify the checksum (optional but recommended):
- Compare MD5/SHA1 sums to ensure the file hasn’t been tampered with, especially for production legacy support.

Critical Note: PHP 7.1.3 requires VC14 Redistributable (Visual C++ 2015) on Windows. Ensure you have it installed before proceeding. xampp php 7.1.3

2. VC14 Redistributable Errors

This XAMPP version was compiled with Visual Studio 2015 (VC14). On Windows 7 or Server 2012, you must install the VC++ 2015 Redistributable or Apache will fail to start silently.

The Time Capsule: Running XAMPP with PHP 7.1.3 in a Modern World

In the fast-paced ecosystem of web development, where PHP 8.x introduces attributes and JIT compilation, it is easy to forget the "middle ages" of the language. Yet, for many developers maintaining legacy systems, PHP 7.1.3 is not a museum piece—it is a daily reality.

Released in early 2017, PHP 7.1.3 brought significant performance improvements over PHP 5.6, introducing nullable types, void return types, and class constant visibility. When bundled with XAMPP (Apache + MariaDB + PHP + Perl), this specific version became a gold standard for Windows-based local development. XAMPP with PHP 7

But how do you effectively run XAMPP with PHP 7.1.3 today? Let’s dive into the use cases, pitfalls, and technical nuances.

3. Essential Extensions for PHP 7.1.3

Some extensions are disabled by default in older XAMPP. Enable these common ones:

In php.ini, uncomment:

extension=curl
extension=gd2
extension=mbstring
extension=mysqli
extension=openssl
extension=pdo_mysql
extension=zip

Need mcrypt? PHP 7.1 still supports it, but it’s deprecated. If your legacy app requires it:

extension=mcrypt

Note: mcrypt was removed in PHP 7.2. For future‑proofing, plan to migrate.

Installation & upgrade notes

XAMPP installers are platform-specific; download the matching installer for your OS and XAMPP build that includes PHP 7.1.3 if you specifically need that version.
To upgrade PHP inside an existing XAMPP installation, follow XAMPP/ApacheFriends guidance or install a newer XAMPP package and migrate htdocs/databases/configs—do not manually swap PHP DLLs without following documented procedures.
Backup htdocs, databases and configuration files before upgrading or changing PHP versions.

Post-Install Verification

Open http://localhost/dashboard – you should see the XAMPP welcome page.
Create a phpinfo() file: C:\xampp\htdocs\info.php containing <?php phpinfo(); ?>
Access http://localhost/info.php – confirm “PHP Version 7.1.3”.

2. Framework Compatibility

Popular frameworks like Laravel 5.5, Symfony 3.4, and CodeIgniter 3.1 run perfectly on PHP 7.1.3. These LTS (Long-Term Support) versions are still maintained for security patches, making 7.1.3 ideal for local development mirroring production servers. Navigate to the SourceForge archive : Apache Friends

XAMPP PHP 7.1.3: A Comprehensive Guide

XAMPP is a popular, free, and open-source web development stack that includes PHP, Apache, MySQL, and Perl. In this guide, we will focus on XAMPP with PHP 7.1.3, exploring its features, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.