php.exe: which program is it?
php.exe is a program file that 9 Windows programs install, the best known being PHP 8.2. The list below names each one with its publisher and install folder.
| App | Publisher | Latest version | Default install folder |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHP 8.2 | PHP Group | 8.2.35 | — |
| PHP 8.3 | PHP Group | 8.3.36 | — |
| PHP 8.4 | PHP Group | 8.4.27 | — |
| PHP 8.5 | PHP Group | 8.5.12 | — |
| PHP 8.2 - Non-thread safe | PHP Group | 8.2.35 | — |
| PHP 8.3 - Non-thread safe | PHP Group | 8.3.36 | — |
| PHP 8.4 - Non-thread safe | PHP Group | 8.4.27 | — |
| PHP 8.5 - Non-thread safe | PHP Group | 8.5.12 | — |
| php-nts | — | 8.5.12 | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is php.exe safe?
php.exe is a normal part of PHP 8.2 when it sits in the program's install folder and carries the publisher's digital signature. A file with the same name in another folder can be something else: check its signature and hash.
Where is php.exe located?
In the program's install folder, which the installer chooses; winget puts portable programs under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WinGet\Packages.
How do I remove php.exe?
Uninstall PHP 8.2 through Settings → Apps or with winget; the uninstaller removes php.exe with it. Deleting the file alone leaves the rest of the program behind.