I do not install PHPMyAdmin from xampp, I have it separated. Updates are restricted to the application provider, phpMyAdmin. I have optimized it, I don't use the original changes from xampp.
In xampp the following backups are made (WinRar):
Apache: httpd.conf and httpd-vhosts.conf;
MySql (MariaDb): with the MySql service stopped, I backup the entire "data" directory. In my opinion more efficient, versatile and compact.
This Dbs backup routine is performed daily. Resulting in a file of just over 4Mb. There are 3 databases and about 85 tables.
Manually, via phpMyAdmin from any table that is under test and/or a major change in its content and design;
PHP: php.ini and the 'ext' directory;
After installing the new version, all the files listed above will overwrite those of the new version, therefore, they must be saved or renamed before this occurs.
htdocs: full backup of the services listed and active in the httpd-vhosts.conf file;
isolated, exclusive, backup of the public folder of the framework;
all other folders in the framework have a copy on git/GitHub;
After starting the new version, I update Mariadb with the following command, in the xampp prompt window:
mysql_upgrade_service --service = MySQL
That's it!
