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Download Python

  1. Go to python.org/downloads
  2. The site will detect you’re on Windows and show the latest version
  3. Click the download button to get the installer
  4. Save it to your Downloads folder
Always get Python from the official website to ensure it’s secure and up-to-date.

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Install Python

This is the most important part - pay close attention to step 2!
  1. Find and run the downloaded installer
  2. Important: Check ✓ “Add python.exe to PATH” at the bottom
If you miss the “Add to PATH” checkbox, Python won’t work from Terminal. This is the #1 installation mistake.
  1. Click “Install Now” (not “Customize installation” unless you know what you’re doing)
  2. If Windows asks “Do you want to allow this app to make changes?”, click “Yes”
  3. Wait for installation (usually takes 1-2 minutes)
  4. Click “Close” when you see “Setup was successful”

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Verify installation

Let’s make sure Python installed correctly:
  1. Open Terminal:
    • Press Windows + R
    • Type wt and press Enter
    • Or search “Terminal” in Start menu
Windows Terminal is the modern app that can run Command Prompt (cmd), PowerShell, or other shells. It’s the recommended way to use Python on Windows.
  1. Type this command:
python --version
  1. You should see the Python version you just installed
On Windows, you can usually use python (not python3 like on Mac/Linux).

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Test Python

Let’s run Python for the first time:
  1. In Terminal, type:
python
  1. You’ll see something like:
Python 3.13.5 (tags/v3.13.5:0fa1754, Jul 29 2025, 12:03:01) [MSC v.1935 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
  1. The >>> means Python is running! Try:
print("Hello from Python!")
  1. Press Enter to see:
Hello from Python!
  1. To exit Python:
    • Type exit() and press Enter
    • Or press Ctrl + Z then Enter

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Troubleshooting

This means Python wasn’t added to PATH. Here’s how to fix it.

Quick Fix: Try py instead of python:
py --version
Solution 1: Reinstall Python
  1. Uninstall Python from Settings > Apps
  2. Download and run installer again
  3. CHECK the “Add to PATH” box this time!
Solution 2: Add to PATH manually
  1. Search “Environment Variables” in Start menu
  2. Click “Environment Variables” button
  3. Under “System variables”, find and double-click “Path”
  4. Click “New” and add these two paths: 
    C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313
C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\Scripts
  5. Replace [YourName] with your Windows username
  6. Replace Python313 with your actual Python version folder
  7. Click OK on all windows
  8. Close and reopen Terminal
During installation:
  • Right-click the installer
  • Select “Run as administrator”
When running Python:
  • Open Terminal as administrator
  • Right-click Terminal > Run as administrator
Windows might flag Python as suspicious:
  1. When warning appears, click “More info”
  2. Click “Run anyway”
  3. Or add Python to Windows Defender exceptions:
    • Settings > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection
    • Add an exclusion > Folder
    • Add Python installation folder
Windows can have multiple Python versions. To manage them:

See all versions:
py -0
Use specific version:
py -3.13 --version
py -3.12 script.py
Set default version: Create py.ini in your home folder with:
[defaults]
python=3.13
If typing python opens Microsoft Store:
  1. Settings > Apps > Apps & features
  2. Click “App execution aliases”
  3. Turn OFF the Python aliases
  4. Use the python.org installer instead
The Microsoft Store version has limitations for development.

Continue to VS Code introduction

Install and configure Visual Studio Code