What you need to do

Download the Python installer from python.org, run it, and follow the setup wizard. The most important step is checking the box that says "Add Python to PATH" — this lets you run Python from any folder on your computer. After installation finishes, open Command Prompt and type python --version to confirm it worked.

The whole process takes about five minutes. You do not need administrator permission on most Windows machines, though some workplaces restrict software installation.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Python from python.org, not from the Microsoft Store, because the Store version has limitations for development work.
  • During installation, check "Add Python to PATH" so you can run Python from Command Prompt without typing the full file path.
  • After installation, open Command Prompt and type python --version to verify Python is working.
  • If you get a "command not found" error, Python did not add itself to PATH — uninstall and reinstall, making sure to check that box.
  • You may need to restart your computer after installation before Command Prompt recognizes the python command.

Download Python from the official website

Go to python.org in your web browser. Click the yellow "Download Python" button on the homepage. This downloads the latest stable version for Windows.

If you need a specific older version, scroll down to "Looking for a specific release?" and choose from the list. Most people should use the latest version unless a project or tutorial requires something older.

The download is about 25 to 30 megabytes and takes a few seconds on a normal internet connection.

Run the installer and check "Add Python to PATH"

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named something like python-3.12.0-amd64.exe. A window appears asking whether to install just for your user or for all users on the computer. Choose "Install Now" for the default settings, or click "Customize installation" if you want to change where Python gets installed.

Before you click Install, look for a checkbox near the bottom that says "Add Python 3.x to PATH". Check this box. This is the step most people miss, and it is what lets you type python in Command Prompt later instead of typing the full path to the Python program.

Click Install and wait for the progress bar to finish. You may see a message asking for administrator permission — click Yes if it appears.

Verify the installation in Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. A black window opens.

Type python --version and press Enter. If Python installed correctly, you see something like Python 3.12.0. If you see "python is not recognized as an internal or external command", Python did not add itself to PATH — see the troubleshooting section below.

You can also type python by itself and press Enter to start the Python interactive shell. You see a >>> prompt. Type print("Hello") and press Enter to test it. Type exit() to close the shell and return to Command Prompt.

What to do if Python does not appear in Command Prompt

If you get an error after typing python --version, the PATH variable did not update. The fastest fix is to restart your computer — Windows sometimes needs a restart to recognize new PATH changes. After restarting, open Command Prompt again and try python --version.

If restarting does not work, uninstall Python and reinstall it. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Python in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. Run the installer again and make absolutely sure to check "Add Python to PATH" before clicking Install.

If you still have trouble, you can run Python by typing the full path to the executable. Find where Python installed by opening File Explorer and going to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312 (the exact folder name depends on your Python version). Copy the path, then in Command Prompt type the full path followed by a space and a Python command — for example, C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe --version.

Installing packages with pip

Once Python works in Command Prompt, you can install packages using pip, which is Python's package manager. Pip comes with Python automatically.

To install a package, open Command Prompt and type pip install package-name. For example, pip install requests installs the requests library for working with web data. You see download progress and a "Successfully installed" message when it finishes.

To see what packages you have installed, type pip list. To remove a package, type pip uninstall package-name.

Choosing a text editor or IDE

Python is now installed, but you need a place to write code. You can use any text editor — Notepad works, though it is not ideal. Most people use one of these options:

  • Visual Studio Code is free, lightweight, and popular. Download it from code.visualstudio.com, then install the Python extension from the Extensions tab inside VS Code.
  • PyCharm Community Edition is free and built specifically for Python. Download it from jetbrains.com/pycharm.
  • IDLE comes with Python automatically. Search for IDLE in your Start menu to open it — it is simple but has fewer features than VS Code or PyCharm.

For learning Python, IDLE or VS Code are good starting points. For larger projects, PyCharm offers more built-in tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I install Python from the Microsoft Store instead of python.org?

No. The Microsoft Store version works for basic learning, but it has restrictions that cause problems later — it cannot install certain packages, and it updates automatically in ways that can break projects. Download from python.org instead.

What does "Add Python to PATH" actually do?

PATH is a list of folders Windows searches when you type a command in Command Prompt. Adding Python to PATH puts the Python folder on that list, so Windows finds the python command no matter which folder you are in. Without it, you have to type the full path to the Python program every time.

Do I need administrator permission to install Python?

Not usually. The default installation option installs Python for your user account only, which does not require administrator permission. If you choose "Install for all users", Windows may ask for administrator permission.

Can I have multiple versions of Python installed at the same time?

Yes, but only one can be the default python command in Command Prompt. If you need to switch between versions, you can type the full path to each version, or use a tool like pyenv to manage multiple versions. For most people starting out, one version is enough.

What if I want to uninstall Python later?

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Python in the list, click it, and click Uninstall. This removes Python and all packages you installed. Your code files stay on your computer — uninstalling Python does not delete them.