How to Install Python on Windows 10 for Beginners

This tutorial will show you how to install Python on Windows 10 computer and this is a straightforward process. The installation processes are as follows:

1. Download the python Installer
2. Run the Installer
3. Add Python PATH to environment variables

To install Python on your windows 10 computer, you need to download the official Python installer, run this installer and finish the installation process. Finally, you can configure the environment variable to use Python from the command line. You can select the version of Python you desire to install. I recommend you install the latest version of Python, which is 3.11.1, at the time of writing this article.

Check out our Introduction to Python post to get started with Python.

Download the Python Installer

1. Navigate to the official Python website in your web browser, then click on the Downloads tab for Windows.
2. Select the latest Python 3 version. For the sake of this tutorial, we’ll be using the latest Python 3.11.1 version.
3. Click on Download Python 3.11.1 to download the Windows executable installer. 

Run the Installer

1. Run the Python executable file to start the installation when the download is completed.
2. Check the use of admin privileges when installing the py.exe check box. Further, check the Add python.exe to PATH check box to add the interpreter to the windows execution path.
3. Click on Install Now to start installing the default features and settings.

1. You will see a  Setup was Successful window when the installation is complete.

Add Python PATH to Windows 10 environment variables.

The final step is to add Python Path to the System Environment variables. This step enables you to access Python through the command line interface. This step is unnecessary; if you check the Add python.exe to PATH check box during the installation. If not, this step will be done by following these steps. 

• From the Start menu, search for “Advanced System Settings.” 
• Select “ View advanced system settings.” 
• From the “System Properties” window, click on the “Advanced” tab and then click on the “Environment Variables” button. 
• Navigate to the Python installation directory on your system. By default, Python will be installed in the below locations: C:\Program Files (x86)\Python311: for 32-bit installation or C:\Program Files\Python311: for 64-bit installation.

The directory name may differ from “Python311” if your installed version differs. Look for a folder whose name starts with Python. Append the following entries to the PATH variable like the image below:

Test your Python Installation

You have installed Python on your Windows 10 computer successfully. You can test the Python installation either in the command line or through the IDLE software that comes along with the Python installation. On your keyboard, press Win + R and type cmd in the run dialogue to start the command prompt. You can type ” python.” then You will see Python 3.11.1 is installed.

Another way to test Python is to open “Python Integrated Development Environment (IDLE)” from the start menu like the image below:

Congratulations! Your Windows 10 system is ready for Python development.

Basic Python Hello World Codes with Command line

We’ll write a simple code to print hello world on the command line interface of Python.

text = "Hello World!"
print(text)

Basic Python Hello World Codes with Python IDLE

This code and method of execution are the same as the command line.

print("Hello World!")

Thank you for reading this post. If you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, please feel free to check back for new content.