How To Install Python On Windows?

Are you excited to embark on your Python programming journey on your Windows machine? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll guide you how to install Python on Windows. Trust us, it’s easier than you might think. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have Python up and running on your Windows system, ready to unleash your coding skills. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!

Before we dive into the installation process, it’s a good idea to check if Python is already installed on your Windows machine. Don’t worry; it’s a quick and easy step. We’ll show you how to do it, and if Python is not installed, we’ll proceed with the installation. let’s check if Python is already installed on your Windows system. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R, typing cmd in the Run dialog, and hitting Enter.
In the Command Prompt window, type python --version and press Enter.
If Python is installed, the version number will be displayed. If you see a version number, you can skip to Step 5. If Python is not installed or you see an error message, continue with the installation process.

Step 1: Downloading Python

You’ll need to download the Python installer. Visit the official Python website download page. Choose the latest stable version of Python for Windows and click on the download link. The website will automatically detect your operating system, making it easier for you to select the appropriate version.

Step 2: Running The Installer

Once the installer is downloaded, locate the file and double-click on it to run the installer. A window will pop up with various installation options. Make sure to check the box that says Add Python to PATH during the installation process. This will allow you to use Python from any directory on your Windows system.

Step 3: Customizing the Installation (Optional)

The installer also provides some additional customization options. If you’re unsure about these options, you can simply click on the Install Now button to proceed with the default settings. However, if you want to customize the installation, feel free to explore the available options. Don’t worry, you can always change these settings later.

Step 4: Completing the Installation

Once you’ve made your choices, click on the Install Now button. The installation process will begin, and you’ll see a progress bar indicating the installation status. Python and its associated tools will be installed on your Windows system. This may take a few moments, so sit back and relax.

Step 5: Verifying the Installation

Once the installation is complete, it’s time to verify that Python is successfully installed. Open the Command Prompt again and type python --version. This time, you should see the version number of the installed Python.

Congratulations! You did it! You’ve successfully installed Python on your Windows system. Now, let’s take the next step and set up Visual Studio Code (VScode) on your Windows machine. It’s going to make your coding experience even better!

Installing Visual Studio Code

Installing VS Code is a breeze! Head over to the official VS Code website and download the installer for Windows. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install VS Code on your machine.

Installing the Python Extension in VS Code

To supercharge your Python development in VS Code, we’ll need to install the Python extension. Launch VS Code and navigate to the Extensions tab in the sidebar. Search for Python and find the Python extension by Microsoft. Click on the Install button to add the extension to your VS Code installation.

Configuring Python Interpreter in VS Code

Now that the Python extension is installed, we need to configure the Python interpreter in VS Code. Open VS Code’s Command Palette by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P (or go to View > Command Palette). Type “Python: Select Interpreter” and select the Python interpreter you want to use from the available options. If you don’t have Python installed, you can choose to install it directly from the Command Palette.

Creating a Python Virtual Environment

It’s always a good practice to work within a virtual environment. Let’s create one! Open the Command Palette again and type Python: Create a New Environment to create a new virtual environment. Provide a name for your environment, and VS Code will set it up for you.

Managing Python Packages with Pip

Python packages are essential for extending the functionality of your code. Let’s install a popular package using pip, the package installer for Python. Open a new terminal in VS Code by going to View > Terminal or using the shortcut Ctrl+`. In the terminal, enter the following command to install the requests` package:

pip install requests

VS Code will download and install the package for you, making it available for use in your Python projects.

Setting Up Code Formatting and Linting

Consistent code formatting and linting help improve code quality. In VS Code, we can set up code formatting using the autopep8 package and linting using pylint. Open the Command Palette, type Python: Select Linter, and choose pylint Next, install the autopep8 package by running the following command in the terminal:

pip install autopep8

VS Code will automatically format your code and provide linting suggestions to ensure clean and error-free code. Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up Visual Studio Code for Python development on your Windows machine.

Now that we have VS Code all set up and ready to go, let’s dive into creating your very first Python application! Exciting times ahead!

Creating a New Project

Launch Visual Studio Code by clicking on the icon in your Windows taskbar.
Click on File in the menu bar and select New File to open a new empty file.
Save the file with a meaningful name and the appropriate file extension. For example, let’s name it my_first_app.py for a Python application.
Congratulations! You’ve just created your first application file in VS Code.

Writing Your First Application

Now let’s dive into writing some code for your application. In this example, we’ll create a simple “Hello, World!” program:

Example Code

print("Hello, World!")

In the code above, we use the print() function to display the Hello, World! message. Feel free to modify the message or add more code to experiment and explore through our editor and compiler above.

Running Your Application

Once you’ve written your code, it’s time to run your application and see the output. Here’s how you can do it:

Ensure your application file is active in the VS Code editor.
Press Ctrl+“ to open the integrated terminal within VS Code.
In the terminal, make sure you’re in the correct directory where your application file is located.
Type the appropriate command to run your application. For example, if you’re running a Python application, use the command python my_first_app.py.

After executing the command, you should see the Hello, World! message displayed in the terminal.

Output

Hello, World!

Congratulations! You did it! You’ve successfully installed Python and set up Visual Studio Code for Python development on your Windows machine. You’ve followed the steps to install VS Code, install the Python extension, configure the Python interpreter, create a Python virtual environment, manage Python packages with pip, and even set up code formatting and linting. You’re now armed with a powerful development environment that’s ready to unleash your Python coding skills. It’s time to bring your ideas to life and create amazing Python applications!

Now that you’ve taken this exciting first step, the journey doesn’t end here. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and keep honing your coding skills. With Visual Studio Code as your trusty companion, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. The world of coding is at your fingertips, waiting for you to dive in and make your mark.