WordPress shows the “Install” screen if:

• It cannot connect to the database (wrong credentials in wp-config.php).
• It connects but doesn’t find the correct tables (wrong table prefix or missing tables).
• The database is connected but the key siteurl (in wp_options) doesn’t match the URL you’re using.

Since you already checked the DB credentials + table prefix, the issue is almost always missing/misnamed tables or a wrong database import.

Sometimes, just copying the MySQL data folder (instead of exporting/importing) can break things. If the DB doesn’t appear properly:

• Export the backup .sql file if you have it.

Or:

1. Stop MySQL in XAMPP.
2. Replace the database folder inside xampp/mysql/data/.
3. Restart MySQL.

If it still fails, create a new empty DB, then import your .sql backup.