Since the Official Apache Friends Website usually highlights only the latest three versions, you need to head to their archives for older builds:
Click the Security link on the dashboard or run: C:\xampp\htdocs\security\index.php
After installation, open the XAMPP Control Panel. If it is v3.2.1, it should look familiar to users from that period. Important Safety Warning
If you were looking for a newer PHP version released in 2021 (likely 7.4.21 or 8.0.21), you can find them here: xampp version v3 21 download 2021
Right-click the .exe file → Run as administrator .
was a pivotal version released around 2013-2014, known for its extreme stability and compatibility with legacy applications. In 2021, developers often needed this version to maintain older PHP 5.x projects or legacy WordPress websites that were not yet compatible with PHP 7 or 8. Key Components of XAMPP v3.2.1 Apache: ~2.4.4 MariaDB/MySQL: ~5.5.x or 5.6.x (Usually) PHP: ~5.5.x phpMyAdmin: ~4.1.x Why Download XAMPP v3.2.1 in 2021?
The “3.2.1” primarily refers to the version – a GUI tool to start/stop modules like Apache, MySQL, and FileZilla. Since the Official Apache Friends Website usually highlights
| Alternative | Why switch? | Best for | |-------------|-------------|----------| | (Windows) | Lightweight, automatic virtual hosts | Laravel/WordPress devs | | Docker with PHP 7.4 image | Isolated, portable | Team projects | | WampServer 3.2.6 | Similar 2021-era stack | PHP 7.4 fans | | XAMPP 8.2.x (current) | Newer PHP, but breaks old code | New projects |
Yes, if downloaded from the official Apache Friends SourceForge archive. However, the PHP/MySQL versions within may have unpatched vulnerabilities. Do not use this for production hosting—only local development.
Uncheck the "Learn more about Bitnami for XAMPP" box if you want a faster installation without opening extra browser tabs. was a pivotal version released around 2013-2014, known
If you are following a tutorial or course recorded in 2021, using the same XAMPP version prevents "version mismatch" errors.
It is important to clarify that refers specifically to the XAMPP Control Panel , not the overall XAMPP installer version released in 2021.
compatibility, with several maintenance releases throughout the year. The "v3.2.1" Connection: Although the installer version was 7.x or 8.x, the XAMPP Control Panel