# MySQL

Application: Oracle

Also called mysql server, mysqld

Oracle, Productivity

Oracle's MySQL database server. On Windows the server process is mysqld.exe. Workbench is the official GUI. It is not PostgreSQL.

## What you need to know

MySQL is mysqld.exe. PostgreSQL is postgres.exe.

mysqld.exe is Oracle's MySQL server. The installer can add Workbench. PostgreSQL is a different server. XAMPP's bundled MySQL or MariaDB is a learning stack, not always this official install.

- **What is it?**: MySQL database server

  **Same as PostgreSQL?**: No. Different engine and exe

  **Is Workbench the server?**: No. mysqld.exe is the server

Feex says

If mysqld.exe is running, I treat it as the MySQL server. I would not stop postgres.exe to free it, and I would not uninstall Workbench to remove the server.

## What is MySQL?

MySQL is the database server. mysqld.exe is the Windows process. It is not PostgreSQL, not Workbench, and not XAMPP by itself.

## If you have never used it

If a class said install MySQL, use the MySQL Installer from dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer. mysqld.exe is the server. Workbench is a checkbox for the GUI. PostgreSQL is a different engine with postgres.exe. XAMPP also bundles a database. That copy is not this official server unless you pointed at it on purpose.

## What is it used for?

**Store relational data**

Schemas on port 3306 by default. postgres.exe defaults to 5432.

**Windows service**

MySQL80 or similar. That is not postgresql-x64-##.

**Optional Workbench**

The installer can add MySQLWorkbench.exe. DBeaver is a different GUI.

## Who is it for?

- Developers whose stack is MySQL
- Students whose README assumes port 3306
- Anyone who installed Postgres and wondered why mysql was not a command

## Current status

MySQL (1995) is a current database server from Oracle. The vendor still points Windows users at https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/.

## How old is it?

MySQL dates to 1995. Oracle owns the current product. MySQL 8.0 is the usual Windows line. A 5.0 query browser screenshot is history. MariaDB is a fork, not this installer.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

MySQL 8.0

MySQL Installer bundle

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | A current 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per Oracle's MySQL Installer |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | 4 GB class is a common comfortable floor for a local 8.0 server plus Windows    |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| mysqld.exe | MySQL server |
| ---------- | ------------ |

## Startup components

The installer can start the service at boot. That is mysqld.exe, not Workbench.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\\ |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------- |

## File formats

SQL, dump

## Common problems

### Port 3306 already in use

XAMPP or another MySQL service can steal it. Postgres on 5432 is a different conflict.

### People uninstall Workbench and think MySQL is gone

MySQLWorkbench.exe is the GUI. mysqld.exe can stay.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer

Oracle hosts the installer. An Oracle account may be required. A random MySQL zip is junk.

### Services.msc: MySQL80 or the name you picked

postgresql-x64-## is the other engine.

### mysql CLI or Workbench to test a login

pgAdmin will not speak MySQL as its first protocol.

## Alternatives

PostgreSQL if the stack is Postgres. MariaDB if you want that fork. XAMPP if you only needed a class stack. Workbench or DBeaver for a GUI.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download        | [dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/ ](https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/)Official installer or vendor page |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help            | [dev.mysql.com/doc/ ](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/)Vendor support                                                    |
| Official site   | [dev.mysql.com/ ](https://dev.mysql.com/)Start here, not a random exe host                                         |
| MySQL Installer | [dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/ ](https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/)Server plus optional Workbench    |

## Related hardware

The server wants RAM for the buffer pool and disk for datadir. A GPU is irrelevant.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[PostgreSQL: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/postgresql)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [MySQL official site ](https://dev.mysql.com/)· Vendor product page
- [MySQL help ](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/)· Vendor support
- [MySQL documentation ](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/)· Official Oracle MySQL docs
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Oracle

  **Category**: Database server

  **Process**: mysqld.exe

  **License**: GPL / commercial

  **First released**: 1995

  **Official site**: [dev.mysql.com](https://dev.mysql.com/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/mysql/)

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