[mysql] How should I tackle --secure-file-priv in MySQL?

Here is what worked for me in Windows 7 to disable secure-file-priv (Option #2 from vhu's answer):

  1. Stop the MySQL server service by going into services.msc.
  2. Go to C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.6 (ProgramData was a hidden folder in my case).
  3. Open the my.ini file in Notepad.
  4. Search for 'secure-file-priv'.
  5. Comment the line out by adding '#' at the start of the line. For MySQL Server 5.7.16 and above, commenting won't work. You have to set it to an empty string like this one - secure-file-priv=""
  6. Save the file.
  7. Start the MySQL server service by going into services.msc.