How to add python to path windows

The following program will add the python executable path and the subdir Scripts (which is where e.g. pip and easy_install are installed) to your environment. It finds the path to the python executable from the registry key binding the .py extension. It will remove old python paths in your environment. Works with XP (and probably Vista) as well.
It only uses modules that come with the basic windows installer.

# coding: utf-8

import sys
import os
import time
import _winreg
import ctypes

def find_python():
    """
    retrieves the commandline for .py extensions from the registry
    """
    hKey = _winreg.OpenKey(_winreg.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT,
                           r'Python.Fileshellopencommand')
    # get the default value
    value, typ = _winreg.QueryValueEx (hKey, None)
    program = value.split('"')[1]
    if not program.lower().endswith(r'python.exe'):
        return None
    return os.path.dirname(program)

def extend_path(pypath, remove=False, verbose=0, remove_old=True,
                script=False):
    """
    extend(pypath) adds pypath to the PATH env. variable as defined in the
    registry, and then notifies applications (e.g. the desktop) of this change.
    !!! Already opened DOS-Command prompts are not updated. !!!
    Newly opened prompts will have the new path (inherited from the 
    updated windows explorer desktop)
    options:
    remove (default unset), remove from PATH instead of extend PATH
    remove_old (default set), removes any (old) python paths first
    script (default unset), try to add/remove the Scripts subdirectory 
        of pypath (pip, easy_install) as well
    """
    _sd = 'Scripts' # scripts subdir
    hKey = _winreg.OpenKey (_winreg.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
               r'SYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerEnvironment',
               0, _winreg.KEY_READ | _winreg.KEY_SET_VALUE)

    value, typ = _winreg.QueryValueEx (hKey, "PATH")
    vals = value.split(';')
    assert isinstance(vals, list)
    if not remove and remove_old:
        new_vals = []
        for v in vals:
            pyexe = os.path.join(v, 'python.exe')
            if v != pypath and os.path.exists(pyexe):
                if verbose > 0:
                    print 'removing from PATH:', v
                continue
            if script and v != os.path.join(pypath, _sd) and 
               os.path.exists(v.replace(_sd, pyexe)):
                if verbose > 0:
                    print 'removing from PATH:', v
                continue
            new_vals.append(v)
        vals = new_vals
    if remove:
        try:
            vals.remove(pypath)
        except ValueError:
            if verbose > 0:
                print 'path element', pypath, 'not found'
            return
        if script:
            try:
                vals.remove(os.path.join(pypath, _sd))
            except ValueError:
                pass
            print 'removing from PATH:', pypath
    else:
        if pypath in vals:
            if verbose > 0:
                print 'path element', pypath, 'already in PATH'
            return
        vals.append(pypath)
        if verbose > 1:
            print 'adding to PATH:', pypath
        if script:
            if not pypath + '\Scripts' in vals:
                vals.append(pypath + '\Scripts')
            if verbose > 1:
                print 'adding to PATH:', pypath + '\Scripts'
    _winreg.SetValueEx(hKey, "PATH", 0, typ, ';'.join(vals) )
    _winreg.SetValueEx(hKey, "OLDPATH", 0, typ, value )
    _winreg.FlushKey(hKey)
    # notify other programs
    SendMessage = ctypes.windll.user32.SendMessageW
    HWND_BROADCAST = 0xFFFF
    WM_SETTINGCHANGE = 0x1A
    SendMessage(HWND_BROADCAST, WM_SETTINGCHANGE, 0, u'Environment')
    if verbose > 1:
        print 'Do not forget to restart any command prompts'

if __name__ == '__main__':
    remove = '--remove' in sys.argv
    script = '--noscripts' not in sys.argv
    extend_path(find_python(), verbose=2, remove=remove, script=script)

You may need to add Python to PATH if you’ve installed Python, but typing python on the command line doesn’t seem to work. You may be getting a message saying that the term python isn’t recognized, or you may end up with the wrong version of Python running.

A common fix for these problems is adding Python to the PATH environment variable. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add Python to PATH. You’ll also learn about what PATH is and why PATH is vital for programs like the command line to be able to find your Python installation.

The steps that you’ll need to take to add something to PATH will depend significantly on your operating system (OS), so be sure to skip to the relevant section if you’re only interested in this procedure for one OS.

Note that you can use the following steps to add any program to PATH, not just Python.

C:Users<USER>AppDataLocalProgramsPython

# This file is not read by bash(1), if ~/.bash_profile or ~/.bash_login
# exists.

$ echo export PATH="<PATH_TO_PYTHON>:$PATH" >> ~/.profile

>>> PATH = "/home/realpython/apps:/bin"
>>> PATH = f"/home/realpython/python:{PATH}"
>>> PATH
'/home/realpython/python:/home/realpython/apps:/bin'

$ echo $PATH
/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/home/realpython/badpython:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games:/usr/local/games

$ echo $PATH | tr ":" "n"
/usr/local/sbin
/usr/local/bin
/usr/sbin
/home/realpython/badpython
/usr/bin
/sbin
/bin
/usr/games
/usr/local/games

export PATH=`echo $PATH | tr ":" "n" | grep -v 'badpython' | tr "n" ":"`

There are few ways to add Python to Windows PATH. In this guide, you’ll see two methods to add Python to Windows path:

• Via the installation of a recent version of Python
• Manual entry of the paths

Method 1: Install a Recent Version of Python

You can easily add Python to Windows path by downloading a recent version of Python, and then checking the box to Add Python to PATH at the bottom of the setup screen:

Add Python to PATH

Finish the installation, and you should be good to go.

Alternatively, you may manually add the paths into the Environment variables.

Method 2: Manually add Python to Windows Path

If you wish to stick with the previous version of Python, you may apply the steps below to manually add Python to Windows path.

First, navigate to the Windows Environment Variables screen (where you can add/edit your paths):

• Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard in order to open the Run dialog box
• Type sysdm.cpl to open the System Properties
• Go to the Advanced tab and then click on the ‘Environment Variables…‘

That should take you to the Environment Variables screen, where you can add/edit your paths.

Under the User variables box, click on ‘New…‘ to add the ‘Path’ variable (note that if your ‘Path’ variable already exists, then click on ‘Edit…’ instead):

You should then see the New User Variable box, where you may add/edit variables:

Variable name:
Variable value:

Before you type any values, you’ll need to locate the relevant Python paths. The paths that you’ll need to get are:

(1) The Python application path, which is the folder where you originally installed Python. You can find the Python application path by following these steps:

• Type “Python” in the Windows Search Bar
• Right-click on the Python App, and then select “Open file location“
• Right-click again on the Python shortcut, and then select “Open file location“

Here is an example of a Python application path:

C:UsersRonAppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython39

(2) The Python Scripts path. The Scripts folder should be located within the Python application path. Example:

C:UsersRonAppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython39scripts

After you obtained the paths, fill the New User Variable box that you saw earlier:

• For the Variable name, type ‘Path‘
• For the Variable value, copy the full Python application path, then use semicolon (as highlighted in yellow below), and finally copy the Python Scripts path.

For our example:

Variable name: Path
Variable value: C:UsersRonAppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython39;C:UsersRonAppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython39Scripts

Press ‘OK’ and you would then see your new Python Path under the ‘User variables‘ section. Don’t forget to press ‘OK‘ again so that the changes will get implemented.

You just added Python to the Windows Path.

You should be able to install Python packages easily, by opening the Windows Command Prompt and then typing:

pip install package_name

For example, to install the Pandas package, simply type ‘pip install pandas‘ and then press ENTER:

pip install pandas

Similarly, you may upgrade PIP by typing the following command:

python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Python is a great language! However, it doesn’t come pre-installed with Windows. Hence we download it to interpret the Python code which we write. But wait, windows don’t know where you have installed the Python so when trying to any Python code, you will get an error.

We will be using Windows10 and python3 for this article. (Most of the part is same for any other version of either windows or python)

Add Python to Windows Path

First, we need to locate where the python is being installed after downloading it. Press WINDOWS key and search for “Python”, you will get something like this:

If no results appear then Python is not installed on your machine, download it before proceeding further. Click on open file location and you will be in a location where Python is installed, Copy the location path from the top by clicking over it.

Now, we have to add the above-copied path as a variable so that windows can recognize. Search for “Environmental Variables”, you will see something like this:

Click on that

Now click the “Environmental Variables” button

There will be two categories namely “User” and “System”, we have to add it in Users, click on New button in the User section. Now, add a Variable Name and Path which we copied previously and click OK. That’s it, DONE!

Check if the Environment variable is set or not

Now, after adding the Python to the Environment variable, let’s check if the Python is running anywhere in the windows or not. To do this open CMD and type Python. If the environment variable is set then the Python command will run otherwise not.

This article will put forth a very simple ye and important concept that is how to add Python to path and follow it up with a detailed practical demonstration. Following pointers will be covered in this article,

• Add Python To Path
• Installing Python
• Setting up Path
• How to add Python Path to Windows?
• Setting Path in Unix or Linux
• Environmental Variables

So let us get started then,

Add Python To Path

Today there is an application for whichever problem you can imagine. Be it in the form of a web application or one that runs on your smartphone, the world of applications is literally an endless pit of opportunities, thus making Python an obvious choice for many developers across the world. The reason for Python being such a popular choice is the plethora of features, the platform comes with. 

For developers who are just beginning to learn Python, one might mistakenly install Python in Windows without fulfilling the prerequisites first. One of the most common problems that we hear from developers is how to add path in Python and in this article,  we will talk about just that. 

But first let’s get the basics out of the way.

Moving on with this article on How To Add Python To Path,

Flavors of Python 

Similar to other programming platforms available on the market, Python too is supported by all the operating systems that are currently in existence, most prominently, Linux, Mac OS and Windows. 

Installing Python

The most up to date version of Python that is available for download is pretty easy to install. You just need to download the binary code that is applicable for your operating system and install the same. If you find that the binary code is not available for the operating system you are using, you need to make use of a C compiler to compile the source code manually. 

One of the most significant advantages of compiling your source code manually is that you will get more flexibility in terms of features that you might need during the installation process. 

Moving on with this article on How To Add Python To Path,

Setting up Path

Once you have installed Python on your system, now comes the tricky part of setting path so that you can easily access the python.exe file. Depending on the operating system you are currently using, the process of setting up path varies greatly. Mentioned below are the steps to set up Path for Windows, Mac and Linux simultaneously. 

Adding Python Path to Windows

If you have installed Python in Windows like most other developers by just following online tutorials, in most cases there is a chance that the Python executable file wasn’t added to the Windows Path Variable. While this might sound like a small thing at the beginning, when you start using Python full-fledged this will cause a problem. The Python executable file is responsible for listing the directories that will be executed when you type in a command in the command prompt of your Python window. Once you have added the Python executable file in the Windows directory, you will be able to access the python.exe file simply by typing the python keyword. One of the main advantages of adding this feature is that, every time you need to access the python.exe file, you don’t need to specify the full path to the program. 

Now let us consider a case, where the Python executable file has not been added to the Windows Path. In such a scenario, when you enter a Python command in the command prompt, you will be greeted by an iteration of the following message. 

C:>python

‘python’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,

operable program or batch file.

This message clearly indicates that the python.exe file has not been added to the Windows Path and therefore you won’t be able to access it. In such a scenario, if you want to access the python.exe file you need to specific the full address of the file. It will look something like this, 

C:>C:Python34python –version

Python 3.4.3

As you can see from this example, this process is definitely more complicated than what meets the eye and therefore it is always advisable that you add the python executable file to the Windows Path at the very beginning of the installation process. 

Moving on with this article on How To Add Python To Path,

How to add Python Path to Windows?

Now that we are aware of the effects of not adding Python Path to Windows, here is a simple method of adding it. 

1. Start the Run function on your Windows computer, by using the shortcuts ctrl+R. 
2. Once the Run prompt is up and running, type in sysdm.cpl
3. Press Enter and you will be redirected to System Properties. In this section, locate the Advanced Tab and click on the button that reads Environment Variables. 
4. Under Environment Variables, find System Variables and locate the Path. 
5. Click on Edit and locate the option which says Variable Value. In this section add the path at the end of the phrase that is already present. One of the most important things to note here is that, before you add the Path you need to include a semicolon (;) so that both can be differentiated easily. 
6. In our example above, we have added the Path which reads ;C:Python34. 

Once this is done, press OK and the path will be added to the specific location. Save all your actions and reboot your system for more effective performance. 

Moving on with this article on How To Add Python To Path,

Setting Path in Unix or Linux

The steps for adding Path in Unix or Linux are fairly straight forward, just follow the steps outlined below. 

1. In the csh shell, type the following sentence: PATH “$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python” and press Enter. 
2. If you are using the standard flavour of Linux, open up the bash shell and type the following phrase, export PATH=”$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python” and press Enter. 
3. If you have access to either sh or ksh shell, then open up the terminal and type the following, PATH=”$PATH:/usr/local/bin/python” and press Enter. 

One of the most important things to note when you are adding Path to Python in Unix or Linux is that, /usr/local/bin/python is the default path of the Python directory. 

Moving on with this article on How To Add Python To Path,

Environmental Variables 

Now that you have successfully added Path to Python, here are some of the most significant Environmental Variables that Python recognizes. 

1. PYTHONPATH: This is one of the most common Environmental Variables that Python recognizes and it has a role that is similar to the original Path. The use of this variable tells Python where to locate the module files and how to import them into a program. While using this function, be sure to include Python source library directory and also the directories that contain the Python source code. In some instances, PYTHONPATH is already preset in the Python directory. 

2. PYTHONSTARTUP: The use of this file contains the path of an initialization file which contains the Python source code. This function is executed every time you start the interpreter in Python. In Unix or Linux, this is named as pythonrc.py and using this command loads the utilities that modify PYTHONPATH. 

3. PYTHONCASEOK: This is an Environmental Variable that is specific to Windows. When you use this variable, Python will find the first case insensitive match in an import statement. In order to activate this variable, you can set it to any value of your choice.

4. PYTHONHOME: This is an alternative to module search path that can be used in Python. In most scenarios this is embedded into the PYTHONSTARTUP or PYTHONPATH in order to make switching modules between libraries fairly easy. 

This brings us to the end of this article on How To Add Python To Path?

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In today’s tutorial we’ll learn how to to insert Python into the path environment variable on Windows.

What is the Windows Path environment variable?

The path is an environment variable in the Windows operating system that points to certain directories that contain specific executable files that we often use. Directories that we typically find in a Windows path are C:Windows, C:Windowssystem32, %JAVA_HOME%bin etc’.

Why do we want Python in the Path and should we add it?

We want Python to be set as part of the Path so we can refer to the python.exe or to utilities that are part of the Python installation in a relative manner instead of having to write the full absolute path to the executable. In plain words, the meaning of having Python (or any other executable file) in the path, is that in order to invoke Python, we would rather type python than c:Usersdavepython3.10python.exe in our Windows command line.

Python Windows path error messages

We typically encounter error messages when trying to run the Python interpreter from the Windows command line prompt or using the Terminal tab in the popular Python Integrated development environment. Here are a few common errors:

‘python’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

python : The term ‘python’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.

Error in PyCharm:

‘pip’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Same error, but this time when invoking pip. Similar error appear when invoking ipython, Mini conda / Anaconda etc’.

Similar Error in Visual Studio Code (VS) Terminal:

Adding Python to the Path automatically

The easiest way to ensure that Python is incorporated into the Path is set that accordingly when installing Python on your Windows computer. That said, even after you have already installed Python you can still use the Python installer to fix the path topic in two ways.

• First off, close any open Python files or the command prompt terminal windows.
• Then run the Python application setup executable file that matches the one installed in your computer.
• You’ll see the following dialog:

• Then select Modify, then hit Next.
• In the Advanced Options dialog mark the add Python to ENVIRONMENT variables checkbox as shown below. Then hit Install and and once done close the Setup dialog.

• Alternatively, run the Python executable file that matches the one installed in your computer.
• From the Modify Setup dialog, select Repair.
• If prompted by User Account Control hit Yes.
• The Repair Progress dialog will show the Python installation repair.
• Once done, hit Close.

The Python application and scripts folder were added to the Path.

Add Python to Path – manually

You can obviously edit your PATH environment manually .Kindly proceed as following to insert the Python directories to the path:

• On your Windows taskbar hit the magnifying glass button (search).
• In the Type here to search box, type Environment variables and hit Enter.
• The System Properties dialog will open up.

• In the bottom hit the Environment Variables button.
• In the System Variables section, highlight the Path entry.
• Hit Edit.
• Now, hit New.
• Add the absolute path to your Python.exe file. For example: C:PythonPython3.10
• Now hit New again.
• Add the absolute path to your Python Scripts library.For example: C:PythonPython3.10Scripts
• Your dialog should look as following:

• Hit OK.
• Close the Environment Variables and System Properties dialogs.
• Restart your Python IDE or Command Prompt and invoke your Python application using the relative path as shown below:

• You are all set!

Adding PIP to the Path

The Python Package Manager utility PIP is accessible as an executable (exe) file right in your Python Scripts folder typically at <python_installation_directory>Scripts.

If you path is not set correctly you will get the following error when trying to install a package or to update PIP:

You can easily solve the error by manually setting the Windows path or re-installing Python as shown in the sections above.

Enjoy 🙂