Python has gained popularity among both novice and expert programmers due to its adaptability and versatility. It excels in various areas such as scripting, automation, data analysis, machine learning, and back-end development.
The purpose of this tutorial is to guide you on how to install Python on your Windows 10 operating system by utilizing the Python installer specifically designed for Windows.
Step 1 : Downloading the Python Installer
Follow these steps to download Python on your Windows device:
1. Visit the official Python download page for Windows (https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/)
2. Look for a stable Python 3 release. Note that this tutorial was tested with Python version 3.11.3.
3. Select the appropriate link for your system and download the executable file. You can choose either the Windows installer (64-bit) or the Windows installer (32-bit).
Step 2 : Running the Executable Installer
Here are the steps to follow for installing Python on Windows:
1. Once the installer, such as python-3.11.3-amd64.exe, is downloaded, run the Python installer by double-clicking the .exe file.
2. Make sure to select the “Install launcher for all users” checkbox. This option allows all users on the computer to access the Python launcher application.
3. Another checkbox to select is the “Add python.exe to PATH” option. This choice enables users to launch Python from the command line.
4. To proceed with a default installation and features, select “Install Now” and move to Step 4 – Verify the Python Installation. Alternatively, if you prefer to install additional advanced features, select “Customize installation” and follow the prompts.
5. In the “Customize installation” menu, you’ll have the option to install various Optional Features, which include common Python tools and resources. You can install all of these Optional Features, even if you don’t plan to use them.
You can opt for one or more of the following choices:
- It is advisable to include documentation
- If you intend to install additional Python packages such as NumPy or pandas, it is suggested to use pip
- If you plan on using IDLE or following tutorials that use it, it is recommended to have tcl/tk and IDLE installed
- To aid with testing and learning, it is recommended to use Python test suite
- To enable users to launch Python from the command line, it is advisable to have py launcher and for all users installed.
6. Click Next.
7. The Advanced Options dialog displays.
Choose the appropriate options based on your needs:
- If there are other users on your computer, it is suggested to choose the “Install for all users” option.
- To associate all Python file types with the launcher or editor, it is recommended to choose the “Associate files with Python” option.
- Enabling the “Create shortcuts for installed applications” option is recommended to create shortcuts for Python applications.
- To allow launching Python, it is recommended to select the “Add Python to environment variables” option.
- The “Precompile standard library” option is not necessary and may slow down the installation process.
- The “Download debugging symbols” and “Download debug binaries” options are recommended only if you plan to create C or C++ extensions. Be sure to take note of the Python installation directory for future reference if needed.
8. Click Install to start the installation.
9. After the installation is complete, a Setup was successful message displays.
Step 3 : Adding Python to the environment variables
Adding Python to the environment variables is an optional step that can be useful when working with Python on your computer.
Here are the steps to add Python to the environment variables on Windows:
- Open the Start menu and search for “Environment Variables” and click on “Edit the system environment variables”.
- Click on the “Environment Variables” button at the bottom right of the window.
- In the “System Variables” section, scroll down and find the “Path” variable, then click on “Edit”.
- Click on “New” and add the path to the folder where Python is installed. For example, if Python is installed in the default location, you would add “C:\Python39” to the path.
- Click “OK” on all the windows to save the changes.
After completing these steps, you should be able to run Python from the command prompt or terminal without having to navigate to the folder where it is installed. This can make it easier to work with Python and any Python packages that you have installed.
Step :
After completing the installation process, there are two ways to check if the Python installation was successful – through the command line or the Integrated Development Environment (IDLE), if you opted for its installation.
To open the Command Prompt, click on Start and type “cmd” in the search bar. Then, follow these steps:
- Click on the Command Prompt from the search results.
- Type the command below in the Command Prompt:
To determine the version of Python installed on your system, you may launch the IDLE application, which can be found by typing “python” into the search bar and selecting the IDLE app, such as IDLE (Python 3.11 64-bit), from the results.
Conclusion
After successfully installing Python on your Windows 10 computer, you can now begin your journey of learning and programming in Python. Start by creating your initial program in Python 3 and then proceed with further Python tutorials to expand your knowledge. Happy Coding Viabyte!
