Address redundant 32-bit installation instruction in README plus add ARM and PIE reference

[GR8DAN]

In the README file, under point 1 for "Install Xdebug", it states, "On Windows: Download the appropriate precompiled DLL for your PHP version, architecture (64/32 Bit), thread safety (TS/NTS) and Visual Studio compiler version and place it in your PHP extension folder." This was introduced in March 2016. It needs to be changed as Visual Studio Code and Xdebug have only been 64-bit for a while, and Windows has ARM support. Plus, should the README reflect if someone has installed Xdebug via PIE?

[zobo]

Indeed that could use an update. But I think the best thing would be to reference the official Xdebug installation guide.

[GR8DAN]

Plus, consider removing the Xdebug v2.x.x references to aid clarity. PHP 7.4 support ended in Nov. 22. The last Xdebug v2 release was in Dec. 2025. I wouldn't know if v2 works with the latest VS Code. Encouraging readers to use the links to the Xdebug install instructions is sensible.

[GR8DAN]

I used PIE to install Xdebug, but it showed an error:

C:\php>php pie.phar install xdebug/xdebug

Box Requirements Checker
========================

> Using PHP 8.4.10
> PHP is not using any php.ini file.

> Checking Box requirements:
  .......E...

 [ERROR] Your system is not ready to run the application.

Fix the following mandatory requirements:
=========================================

 * The package "composer/ca-bundle" requires the extension "openssl".
   You either need to enable it or request the application to be
   shipped with a polyfill for this extension.

C:\php>

I fixed the error by copying php.ini-development to php.ini and uncommenting extension=openssl. This may need to be added to the Windows install instructions.

The PIE install then printed this:

C:\php>php pie.phar install xdebug/xdebug
🥧 PHP Installer for Extensions (PIE) 1.3.9, from The PHP Foundation
This command may need elevated privileges, and may prompt you for your password.
You are running PHP 8.4.18
Target PHP installation: 8.4.18 nts, vs17, on Windows x86_64 (from C:\php\php.exe)
Found package: xdebug/xdebug:3.5.1 which provides ext-xdebug
Found prebuilt archive: https://github.com/xdebug/xdebug/releases/download/3.5.1/php_xdebug-3.5.1-8.4-nts-vs17-x86_64.zip

In GitDownloader.php line 82:

  git was not found in your PATH, skipping source download

install [-j|--make-parallel-jobs MAKE-PARALLEL-JOBS] [--skip-enable-extension] [--force] [-d|--working-dir WORKING-DIR] [--with-php-config WITH-PHP-CONFIG] [--with-php-path WITH-PHP-PATH] [--with-phpize-path WITH-PHPIZE-PATH] [--no-cache] [--allow-non-interactive-project-install] [--] [<requested-package-and-version>]

C:\php>

No Xdebug DLL was installed, nor was the php.ini file updated. I could not see relevant information about git for a Windows install on the Xdebug Installation web page. I resorted to the manual installation for Windows.