Restoring a XAMPP Project from BackupNew Page

IfRestoring a projectXAMPP is accidentally deleted, corrupted, moved to another computer, or you need to continue workingProject from aBackup backup,recreates both the website files and databasethe mustMySQL bedatabase. restored.

This tutorial demonstrates how to restore a complete XAMPP projectWork from a backup.

copy

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Backup Requirements

Before restoring, you should have:

XAMPP Backups
├── Website Files
│   └── security_dashboard
│
└── Databases
    └── project_db.sql

The project folder contains your website files andof the SQLbackup fileso containsthe youroriginal databaseremains backup.unchanged.

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Restore theproject Website Filesfiles

Open

yourInstall backupand folder.test

Example:

XAMPP.

XAMPPStop BackupsApache └──and WebsiteMySQL Filesbefore └──replacing security_dashboardproject 

files.

Copy the entire project folder.

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Copy the Files into htdocs

Open:

C:\xampp\htdocs\

Paste thebacked-up project folder into the htdocs.

directory.Confirm

Example:

the

C:\xampp\htdocs\security_dashboardfolder 

contains

Yourthe expected entry page and assets.

Start Apache and open the project shouldthrough nowlocalhost. appear inside

Restore the XAMPPdatabase

web

server folder.

Start XAMPPApache

and MySQL.

Open the XAMPP Control Panel.

Start:

Apache
MySQL

Open phpMyAdmin

Open:

http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

.

You should now see the phpMyAdmin home page.

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Create the Databasedatabase

Click:

name

Newexpected 

by

Createthe a databaseproject, using theutf8mb4.

original database name.

Example:

project_db

Click:

Create

Import the Database Backup

Select the newlynew createddatabase database.and

Click:

choose

Import.

Choose the backed-up Import.sql file.

Choose:

Complete

project_db.sqlthe 

import

Click:

and

Import

phpMyAdmin will restore allinspect tables and recordsfictional fromrecords.

If the backupSQL file.export already creates and selects the database, read it before creating another database manually.

Check configuration

Confirm the PDO connection file uses the restored database name and the local XAMPP credentials approved for class. Do not expose credentials in screenshots or public repositories.

Verify the Databaserestoration

SelectTest:

public entry page registration with a fictional user login and logout role-protected pages database queries and processed outputs administrator CSV import with a small fictional file

A page loading is not enough; confirm that database changes persist.

Check

 Files are inside the correct htdocs project folder.  SQL import completes without unresolved errors.  PDO connects to the restored database.

You

should see the original tables.

Example:

project_db
├── users
└── security_events

Click on a tableAuthentication and verifyrole that records are present.

Test the Website

Open your project in a browser.

Example:

http://localhost/security_dashboard/

Check that:

Pages load correctly. Images display correctly. Login systemschecks work. Database Imported and processed data appearsmatches correctly.expected fictional results.  Original backup remains unchanged.

Common Problems

Database Connection Error

Check:

Database name
Username
Password

inside your PHP connection file.

Example:

$conn = new mysqli(
    "localhost",
    "root",
    "",
    "project_db"
);

The database name must match the restored database.

---

Table Not Found

Example error:

Table 'project_db.users' doesn't exist

Solution:

Confirm the SQL file imported successfully. Verify the table exists in phpMyAdmin. Re-import the database if required.

---

Page Not Found

Example:

404 Not Found

Solution:

Verify the project folder is inside:

C:\xampp\htdocs\

Check the URL is correct.

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Restoration Checklist

Website Files

✔ Project folder copied to htdocs
✔ Images restored
✔ CSS restored
✔ JavaScript restored
✔ PHP files restored

Database

✔ Database created
✔ SQL file imported
✔ Tables restored
✔ Records restored

Testing

✔ Website loads
✔ Database connection works
✔ Login system works
✔ Data displays correctly

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Complete Restoration Process

Backup Folder
        ↓
Copy Project Files
        ↓
Paste into htdocs
        ↓
Create Database
        ↓
Import SQL File
        ↓
Test Website

You have successfully restored a XAMPP project from a backup.

Next tutorial: Moving a XAMPP Project to Another Computer.