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Tailoring Your PHP Environment

Different web applications have specific PHP requirements. Whether you are running a legacy script that needs PHP 7.4 or a modern WordPress site optimized for PHP 8.1, the FREAKHOSTING Web Control Panel allows you to switch versions and enable specialized extensions with a single click.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Time

5 Minutes

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Switching PHP Versions

We maintain multiple secure versions of PHP to ensure compatibility with all applications.
1

Access Developer Tools

Log in to the Web Panel and click on the Advanced dropdown, then select Developer tools.
2

Select PHP Version

Locate the PHP Version entry. You will see your current active version (e.g., 8.1 LTS).
3

Change and Save

Select your desired version from the dropdown menu and click Change. The webserver will automatically restart with the new version applied within seconds.

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Enabling PHP Extensions

Extensions add functionality to PHP, allowing it to perform specialized tasks like caching or encryption.
  1. Navigate to the Developer tools section.
  2. Under PHP Extensions, you will see a list of available modules.
  3. Toggle the switch for the extension you need:
    • Redis: Essential for high-performance object caching.
    • IonCube Loader: Required for running encrypted PHP scripts.
    • Brotli: For advanced data compression and faster load times.
    • GD/ImageMagick: For image processing and thumbnail generation.
  4. Changes are applied instantly.

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Extension Presets

If you are running a WordPress site, we recommend enabling Redis, Imagick, and Intl for the best balance of speed and functionality.
If an old script shows a “Missing extension” error, check the mcrypt or mysqli extensions in the list. Most common extensions are pre-installed and just need to be toggled on.

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PHP Version Tip

We strongly recommend using PHP 8.1 or higher for all new websites. Newer versions are significantly faster and include critical security patches that older versions lack.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: January 2026 | FREAKHOSTING: High-Performance Web Architecture.