Install Python on Windows 10

Method 1: The Microsoft Store

1. Click the Start menu and search for Microsoft Store.
2. In the Store, search for Python. Several versions appear.
3. Choose the version you want. The latest one is usually best, unless your project needs another.

   

   

4. Click Get. The Store downloads and installs Python. This takes a few minutes.
5. When it ends, open Command Prompt and check:

python --version

The Store version sets the PATH for you.

Method 2: The official website

1. Open your browser and go to python.org.

   

2. Hover over Downloads. It shows the latest stable release for Windows. Click the download button for the installer.

   

3. Open the downloaded .exe file.
4. On the first screen, tick "Add python.exe to PATH". Then click Install Now (or Customize installation to choose features and the folder).

   

5. Wait, then click Close.

Understand the PATH

The PATH is a list of folders where Windows looks for programs when you type a command. If Python is not in the PATH, python is not recognized.

To add it by hand:

1. Search for environment variables and open Edit the system environment variables.

   

   

2. Click Environment Variables.

   

3. Select Path (user or system) and click Edit. Click New and add the Python folder and its Scripts folder, for example:

C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Scripts\

1. Click OK in all windows and open a new Command Prompt.

Check

python --version
pip --version

Run a script

Create hello.py:

print("Hello, Python!")

Run it:

python hello.py

Quick recap

• The Microsoft Store is the easy way.
• From python.org, tick Add python.exe to PATH.
• Check with python --version in a new window.