When I try to use python from either command prompt or windows powershell, I get the error that "Python was not found". This started happening after I recently reinstalled Anaconda, which is how I install and manage python and related packages.
What's odd is that "conda --version" works fine in command prompt. Also, "python --version" works fine in Anaconda prompt. But, I have added the output of "where python" in the Anaconda prompt to the user variable "Path" under environment variables, along with the outputs of "where conda". I'll note that this is within my user directory, which contains a space in the name, but the same is true for the conda path definition and that seems to work just fine.
Windows 10 Enterprise, conda 4.10.3, python 3.9.7. Thanks.
I may have already answered my own question, though I don't fully understand why the fix was needed.
I tried "conda activate base" in powershell and it failed and told me to run "conda init ", which I did and then restarted powershell. It now opens in the base environment and things seem to work fine now. I don't remember having to do this before, I think because an anaconda update (applied when I reinstalled) made using an environment required whereas it wasn't before. Not sure that's the right explanation so I'll leave this up for a bit, but this did seem to fix my issue.
I was trying to download a GUI, but the terminal kept giving me this error:
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.
I'm trying to install it using this command:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv
Check your Python version and be sure it is installed on your machine
Check the path environment variable
Go to -> "start" and type "Manage App Execution Aliases". Go to it and turn off "Python"
I was having the same issue and I fixed it by using the below method.
Copy two paths of Python
C:\Users\Maninder\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39
C:\Users\Maninder\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts
These are the paths where your Python interpreter is installed. Now add this path into your environmental
variable. Put this path into System variable, not in user variable. I was using user variable, so I was facing the issue.
I have a solution for you. Make sure you check the path mark during installation. Then you need to go to Manage App Execution Aliases.
Simply go to your search bar and search for Manage App Execution Aliases. You will find the attached screen and you need to turn off App Installers as you see on the screen. Also, see the path,,, follow Maninder's answer.
Then you are good to go! :)
I had the same issue. In Windows CMD, only: py --version, works.
I tried adding the path on System variables, and it didn't work. If you are using PyCharm as I do, try to run all commands from the IDE's terminal. It usually is on the side bar where the Run and the Console is. If it is not, go to: menu View → Tool Windows → Terminal. It worked just fine for me.
You need to download Python from https://python.org. When in the installation, be sure to check the option that adds Python to PATH.
I haven't gotten this error before and have been using Python a long time, and then suddenly it showed up. I think that it is a result of a Windows update designed to steer you to their store.
In any case: to remedy the problem, go to Settings → app execution aliases → and turn "off" Python. (What they tell you to do, in other words). This should resolve the problem.
If you have installed Python successfully with add python path, ticked on, and have added
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts
to the path into System variables and have turned off the "aliases" and they all didn't work, you can simply use python instead of python3 in your cmd command.
Check the Aliases for App Execution in Windows. Search for Alias App in your Windows toolbar to find the UI for this. Try turning off anything Python related.
Try adding the following to your "Path" environment variable:
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37\Scripts
Replace Python37 with your own version.
I solved this problem for Visual Studio Code with just writing "python" in the console:
python
After that, Microsoft Store opens automatically with the Python app:
And I just click Get.
And it all work!
All the previous answers are correct, but in my case, I was getting this, because I was not passing the version...
The fix is passing the version:
py.exe -3 your_program
If you're on Windows, you may want to use the Python installer, in Windows Marketplace.
I faced the same error while using Anaconda and trying to link the Python executable path in the command prompt.
It got rectified by going to Settings → App execution aliases → and turning "off" Python. Then again I had to set the path for Python in Anaconda and was successful in executing "python --version" command.
The same thing happened to me even after trying all the above-mentioned steps.
I just restart my system and it was working fine. Do it and if still doesn't fix the issue then make sure you have checked "add python ( any version ) to PATH" before installing Python.
If none of the previous answers are working, you can check if you have the Python executable in your program files.
Go to C:\Program Files and check if you have the Python application. If not, go to the python download website here and download the .exe file.
While installing you must select "Custom install" and select the location as C:/Program Files.
Install it and it should work now from anywhere. This worked for me!
To sincerely resolve this issue, do the following:
Uninstall the Python instance and reinstall it. Note: Make sure you check
"Add variable PATH".
On the command line, type:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv
I got this issue when I used Visual Studio Code as the IDE, and Anaconda as my Python compiler. And you don't need to close the "app alias" in settings, but copy your python.exe to python3.exe in your Anaconda folder.
That happened to me. So, to fix it, you have to follow the following steps:
Uninstall the Python version you already installed.
Go ahead and open the installation file to reinstall it again.
Before hitting Install Now, make sure to tick the box in front of Add Python to path.
Go ahead and complete the installation procedure as usual.
Steps for installing Python
The problem is more subtle than it seems.
For example, if you are using Visual Studio Code on the bottom left, you should see Python X.X.X xx-bit (the X is the version).
If you click in there you will see where the IDE is getting the python.exe from.
Locate that folder into your file explorer and then just follow the answer that is saying to change the environments variables.
So copy the path where python.exe is and add it to the Path variable and do the same where the Script folder is (it is in the same directory where the python.exe is).
Then of course make sure your IDE is using the right Python.
None of the answers here worked for me. I did this and the error went away.
For Windows 11 which I was using, I reran the python-3.10.5-amd64.exe file from my downloads directory and then chose to modify the installation.
Then I followed these easy steps.
Make sure the PIP component is checked before proceeding to install.
Then check 'Add Python to environment variables' if it's not checked already.
Proceed to Install.
At this point, your error will be solved
If you already have the Python executable on your machine and you are getting this error in Windows 10, search for the Python executable and copy its path then copy the path in system variables. It worked for me.
to check in windows
py --version
or restart your pc first then put htis command again
I was also facing this issue after installing python, while running command
python --version in command prompt , error as:
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.
So, i too added
the path in environment variable as shown, and it worked:
Ok, so I have been through many of the different fixes, and I still can't get it to work. In python command line I run the
pip install pyinstaller
it gives me a syntax error, so I run the line of code to set my path, and pip is in my scripts, it still doesn't work. I am not sure how to get this to work. pip is installed but it still refuses to install pyinstaller, saying it has a syntax error. Upon looking this up I find you need to set the path, so I do so, but that does not fix the problem, Help would be very nice!
You have to run that command from the command line (the terminal), not the Python interpreter.
You may think if something is written in Python or for Python it must be run from the interpreter. Well, not necessarily. Speaking of pip or easy_install, they must be run from the terminal.
I installed virtualenv and virtualenvwrapper successfully with pip. I'm running OSX Yosemite. I tested it when I first installed it (following instructions at newcoder.io)and it worked, but now it doesn't. I tried using the "source" command: source "/Library/Python/2.7/site-packages/virtualenv.sh" but I get the response "-bash: cd: python: No such file or directory."
Did I tweak something that knocked it offline? Thanks in advance for help!
OK, I got it, I think! I had been using "source" plus the path that the install program told me the program was in (see above) instead of the one that is recommended in similar questions. (OK, so I was overthinking this one). Anyway. I'm happy, I got it on my own!
Had a friend write some script for me. After about an hour, he declared himself one working on it and sent it to me to complete. So I downloaded Python27 and have been tying to get my head in the game.
My friend used some extra modules in his program and I need to get those up and running before I can see the code running.I've tried following several instructionals with no success.
So I was hoping for some help. My Python directory is where it should be in C:\Python27. I've been trying to use the Python )command line) in order to input the code as given and i keep getting back the same result.
"File " line 1
$pip install requests
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
I am completely lost and starting to get a headache. Please help!
'pip' is a command line program, not a python construct.
Try How do I install pip on Windows?
first to get the pip command on Windows.
You should not use python command line interpreter to install the package.
First, follow this question to install pip on Windows. Then you can directly put the pip install command in your cmd.exe and execute it.