Xdebug for php in Visual Studio code – how to set up and allow breakpoints

Ive read most all of the posts about setting up pgp xdebug for VS code but no solution for me. Ive installed VS code on a new laptop (thats relevant because I know what else is installed and theres no multiple instance of php – but there seems to be!!)
Ive installed XAMP which includes php 8.2.12 on a win11 pc.
the php -v shows

Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Zend Engine v4.2.12, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
    with Xdebug v3.3.2, Copyright (c) 2002-2024, by Derick Rethans`
the PHP.ini says `zend_extension = c:xamppphpextphp_xdebug.dll
xdebug.start_with_request = yes
xdebug.client_port = 9900
xdebug.client_host = 127.0.0.1
xdebug.default_enable=1
xdebug.remote_enable = 1
xdebug.remote_autostart = 1
xdebug.remote_log="C:xamppapachelogsxdebug.log"

the json settings in VScode are

   "workbench.colorTheme": "Visual Studio Light",
   "debug.allowBreakpointsEverywhere": true,
   "php.executables": { "v8.2": "//xampp//php//php.exe" },
   "launch": {      
       "configurations": [  {
           "name": "Listen for Xdebug",
           "type": "php",
           "request": "launch",
           "port": 9900,
           "pathMappings": {
               "c:/xampp/php/ext": "${workspaceFolder}"
           }
       }
   ]]
   }
}`


According to all the posts Ive read that should do it but on trying to debug a simple php I get this error 

   `Failed loading C:phpextphp_xdebug-2.6.1-7.2-vc15-nts-x86_64.dll`

Now Im no expert but this seems to be saying its trying to run php 7.2 and wants the xdebug  2.6.1. non thread safe   xdebug.dll  
BUT I can find NO other instance of php.exe on the PC - where in VS code is it looking for c:phpext   a folder which doesnt exist   - I cant find in VS code where such settings exist or how to tell VS code to look in right folder (in this case c:xamppphpext)

FWIW Im using RobertLu's php debug extension though Ive tried all others available. On previous laptop some time ago I did have some success using Felix Beckers php debug externsion but that is no longer appearing in VSCode list of available extensions

Any comments or suggestions gratefully received