Upgrading MySQL for Retail Pro Prism using Windows ZIP distribution

The Retail Pro Prism 1.14.7 release features a new compatibility with an updated version of MySQL. Below is one method you can use to upgrade from the previous 5.7 version of MySQL to the newly compatible 8.0.21 version.
Upgrade using the Windows ZIP archive distribution

1. Download the Windows (x86, 64-bit) ZIP Archive distribution of MySQL product version 8.0.21 from MySQL :: Download MySQL Community Server (Archived Versions)

2. Stop RP Prism services and MySQL server.

3. Extract the ZIP archive, then copy the content to your existing MySQL installation folder (usually located at C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\) and replace the files.

4. Certain options in your ini file are not compatible with the MySQL version 8.0 you just installed. Modify the my.ini file located at C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\

Make sure you comment out character-set-server, query_cache_type, query_cache_size entries (put a # in front of it).

#character-set-server=utf8

#query_cache_type=1

#query_cache_size=1M

5. Next, remove the NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER option in the sql-mode entry.

Before:
sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER ,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

After:
sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

6. Save and close my.ini file.

7. Download and Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable x64. 

8. Restart the MySQL server. This process might take a while. Also restart Prism Services.

9. Validate on the Logs that MySQL server 8.0.21 has started. Use Workbench > Server Logs or your .err file at C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.7\Data\