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Basic python commands no longer recognised in VS Code [duplicate]

I installed Anaconda3 4.4.0 (32 bit) on my Windows 7 Professional machine and imported NumPy and Pandas on Jupyter notebook so I assume Python was installed correctly. But when I type conda list and conda --version in command prompt, it says conda is not recognized as internal or external command.
I have set environment variable for Anaconda3; Variable Name: Path, Variable Value: C:\Users\dipanwita.neogy\Anaconda3
How do I make it work?

I was faced with the same issue in windows 10, Updating the environment variable following steps, it's working fine.
I know It is a lengthy answer for the simple environment setups, I thought it's may be useful for the new window 10 users.
1) Open Anaconda Prompt:
2) Check Conda Installed Location.
where conda
3) Open Advanced System Settings
4) Click on Environment Variables
5) Edit Path
6) Add New Path
C:\Users\RajaRama\Anaconda3\Scripts
C:\Users\RajaRama\Anaconda3
C:\Users\RajaRama\Anaconda3\Library\bin
7) Open Command Prompt and Check Versions
8) After 7th step type
conda install anaconda-navigator in cmd then press y

Although you were offered a good solution by others I think it is helpful to point out what is really happening. As per the Anaconda 4.4 changelog, https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/reference/release-notes/#what-s-new-in-anaconda-4-4:
On Windows, the PATH environment variable is no longer changed by default, as this can cause trouble with other software. The recommended approach is to instead use Anaconda Navigator or the Anaconda Command Prompt (located in the Start Menu under “Anaconda”) when you wish to use Anaconda software.
(Note: recent Win 10 does not assume you have privileges to install or update. If the command fails, right-click on the Anaconda Command Prompt, choose "More", chose "Run as administrator")
This is a change from previous installations. It is suggested to use Navigator or the Anaconda Prompt although you can always add it to your PATH as well. During the install the box to add Anaconda to the PATH is now unchecked but you can select it.

I found the solution.
Variable value should be C:\Users\dipanwita.neogy\Anaconda3\Scripts

When you install anaconda on windows now, it doesn't automatically add Python or Conda to your path.
While during the installation process you can check this box, you can also add python and/or python to your path manually (as you can see below the image)
If you don’t know where your conda and/or python is, you type the following commands into your anaconda prompt
where python
where conda
Next, you can add Python and Conda to your path by using the setx command in your command prompt (replace C:\Users\mgalarnyk\Anaconda2 with the results you got when running where python and where conda).
SETX PATH "%PATH%;C:\Users\mgalarnyk\Anaconda2\Scripts;C:\Users\mgalarnyk\Anaconda2"
Next close that command prompt and open a new one. Congrats you can now use conda and python
Source: https://medium.com/#GalarnykMichael/install-python-on-windows-anaconda-c63c7c3d1444

Just to be clear, you need to go to the controlpanel\System\Advanced system settings\Environment Variables\Path,
then hit edit and add:
C:Users\user.user\Anaconda3\Scripts
to the end and restart the cmd line

In addition to adding C:\Users\yourusername\Anaconda3 and C:\Users\yourusername\Anaconda3\Scripts, as recommended by Raja (above), also add C:\Users\yourusername\Anaconda3\Library\bin to your path variable. This will prevent an SSL error that is bound to happen if you're performing this on a fresh install of Anaconda.

If you have a newer version of the Anaconda Navigator, open the Anaconda Prompt program that came in the install. Type all the usual conda update/conda install commands there.
I think the answers above explain this, but I could have used a very simple instruction like this. Perhaps it will help others.

Go To anaconda prompt(type "anaconda" in search box in your laptop). type following commands
where conda
add that location to your environment path variables. Close the cmd and open it again

This problem arose for me when I installed Anaconda multiple times. I was careful to do an uninstall but there are some things that the uninstall process doesn't undo.
In my case, I needed to remove a file Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1 from ~\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\. I identified that this file was the culprit by opening it in a text editor. I saw that it referenced the old installation location C:\Anaconda3\.

For conda --version greater than 4.6, from the base of your Anaconda promt, run
conda update conda
conda init
This will update your conda root environment and setup the stuff you need to run it on both cwd and powershell.
After this, you can start any terminal and it will be conda ready.

If you don't want to add Anaconda to env. path and you are using Windows try this:
Open cmd;
Type path to your folder instalation. It's something like:
C:\Users\your_home folder\Anaconda3\Scripts
Test Anaconda, for exemple type conda --version.
Update Anaconda: conda update conda or conda update --all or conda update anaconda.
Update Spyder:
conda update qt pyqt
conda update spyder

I have Windows 10 64 bit, this worked for me,
This solution can work for both (Anaconda/MiniConda) distributions.
First of all try to uninstall anaconda/miniconda which is causing problem.
After that delete '.anaconda' and '.conda' folders from 'C:\Users\'
If you have any antivirus software installed then try to exclude all the folders,subfolders inside 'C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\' from
Behaviour detection.
Virus detection.
DNA scan.
Suspicious files scan.
Any other virus protection mode.
*(Note: 'C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3' this folder is default installation folder, you can change it just replace your excluded path at installation destination prompt while installing Anaconda)*
Now install Anaconda with admin privileges.
Set the installation path as 'C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3' or you can specify your custom path just remember it should not contain any white space and it should be excluded from virus detection.
At Advanced Installation Options you can check "Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable(optional)" and "Register Anaconda as my default Python 3.6"
Install it with further default settings. Click on finish after done.
Restart your computer.
Now open Command prompt or Anaconda prompt and check installation using following command
conda list
If you get any package list then the anaconda/miniconda is successfully installed.

I have just launched anaconda-navigator and run the conda commands from there.

For those who didn't check "Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable". In Windows 10 it looks like that:
5 paths:
C:\Users\shtosh\anaconda3
C:\Users\shtosh\anaconda3\Library\mingw-w64\bin
C:\Users\shtosh\anaconda3\Library\usr\bin
C:\Users\shtosh\anaconda3\Library\bin
C:\Users\shtosh\anaconda3\Scripts

if you use chocolatey, conda is in C:\tools\Anaconda3\Scripts

I had this problem in windows. Most of the answers are not as recommended by anaconda, you should not add the path to the environment variables as it can break other things. Instead you should use anaconda prompt as mentioned in the top answer.
However, this may also break. In this case right click on the shortcut, go to shortcut tab, and the target value should read something like:
%windir%\System32\cmd.exe "/K" C:\Users\myUser\Anaconda3\Scripts\activate.bat C:\Users\myUser\Anaconda3

pipenv search python in old directory do not exist

I would to create new Python project which include pipenv for manage my packages.
But when I try to install package with it, it throw me I exception :
ValueError: Not a valid python path:
'C:/dev/Anaconda3/Scripts/python.exe'
I try pipenv command with 2 differents emulation terminal (Cmder and Terminus) which produce same result.
In old time a try Anaconda solutions for work with Python. But now I don't want use this and I uninstall Anaconda in my OS.
It seems that my OS keep old reference to this python executable into Anaconda in your PATH... But I display my 2 PATH variables OS (PATH system OS and PATH user) and nothing has this location path into your string.
The directory c:\dev\Anaconda3 doesn't exist !
I try to search uninstall Anaconda program in my tool application manager Windows but Anaconda is not diplayed in that listing. It seems to be good uninstalled.
I install correctly pipenv executable : pipenv --version
pipenv, version 2020.6.2
I install correctly python executable : python --version
Python 3.8.3
I added 3 differents PATH python for my OS PATH (system PATH and user PATH) :
C:\dev\python\Python38
C:\dev\python\Python38\Scripts\
C:\dev\python\Python38\Scripts\bin
Why I keep old reference to Anaconda program ?
Why many program search python in same old deleted path and PATH variable do not included this ?
How pipenv created his PATH environment variable ?

I had a Python2.7 instance giving me the same problem. I copy/pasted its python.exe into the Scripts folder. So it now found a real python.exe there. Once I did this it continued on happily. And now I was able to use the Python3.9 version i wanted it to use anyways.
It seems like the python searcher should be a little more tolerant and just ignore poorly formed python releases. There is an open ticket for this: https://github.com/pypa/pipenv/issues/4334

I had a similar error because of an incorrectly uninstalled Anaconda. To see if you have the same problem, go to System Settings > Add or remove programs, and check for anything unexpected matching "conda". Trying to uninstall it results in an error because the uninstall.exe file cannot be found.
Searching around, I saw a few posts that said to mess with regedit, but that's scary. Instead, I re-installed the version of Anaconda that I needed to uninstall (you can do that with https://repo.anaconda.com/archive/Anaconda3-2020.02-Windows-x86_64.exe, replacing 2020.02 with your Anaconda version), and then uninstalling it via the proper uninstaller via "Add or remove programs". After a restart, the phantom Anaconda python was gone

You need to delete the old path in the Windows Registry.
Hit win + r
regedit
find folders with (Anaconda3 or Miniconda3).
Probably two folders. Do not delete folders with the new path to Python.

Anaconda3 activate.bat is not recognized as an internal or external command

I have downloaded Anaconda3 for windows 64-bit operating system. After the download and install completed, I opened the Anaconda prompt but it give me this nice error:
'C:\Anaconda3\Scripts\activate.bat' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.
I just surfed the internet and found a solution to uninstall all previous packages of python but did not work. I have searched for activate.bat file in my system " found it in one folders of anaconda directory " and copy, paste it to the Scripts folder but it gives me errors with conda packages and dependencies. Any solutions please!!
I cannot run any either jupyter notebook or conda as well. Actually, I do not know how to find them in those bunch of Anaconda files and packages.
Thanks in advance,,,.

This is a known Anaconda bug:
From their Github:
" I have fixed the underlying bug here but we will not release new Anaconda installers for a while.
The fix is in the latest Miniconda installers:
64-bit:
https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Windows-x86_64.exe
https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda2-latest-Windows-x86_64.exe
32-bit:
https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Windows-x86.exe
https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda2-latest-Windows-x86.exe
Install those, then run the Anaconda Prompt and install whatever packages you need. If you want the latest full Anaconda release then use:
conda install anaconda=5.0.1"
Check this github thread for the full answer: https://github.com/conda/conda/issues/6053

When you installing Anaconda3 on Windows 10 and the Anaconda Navigator menu item does not install, and running the Anaconda Prompt gives the activate.bat error.
Delete all instances of the previous python IDEs
Reveal hidden files within the control menu
Go to -> C:\Users[Username] in windows explorer
Delete the files .conda and .anaconda. Possibly others if you had other IDEs.
Go to -> C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local
Delete all python related files conda, python, ect.. any instances other python IDEs
Go to -> C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Roaming
Delete all python related files conda, python, ect.. any instances other python IDEs
Run the Anaconda installer as Admin and install in a directory such as C:\anaconda3
Sit back and wonder why an install took 4 hours out of my life and start drinking.
At some point I felt like this was a test for the uninitiated... can I start coding now?

I think the problem will be solved by clearing all dependencies. I initially had python installed, 2.7 and 3.6. I just get rid of all of them. The problem is not solved yet.
I discovered that My MySQL server is running. I just closed it but it did not work. I just uninstalled it completely and The problem is solved. Anaconda needs to listen to , I think 8888 port, which might be used also by MySQL server as well.
I hope this will help.

I had the same issue and solved it like this:
Open a command prompt (cmd.exe)
Execute these commands to reset two environment variables:
set PYTHONPATH=
set PATH=%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem
Start the installer (from within the same command prompt).
Now the installation will succeed!
Tip: if 'Anaconda Prompt' in the start menu isn't working afterwards, use this workaround:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Continuum\anaconda3\Scripts\activate.bat C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Continuum\anaconda3

I solved it
If you install other python directories or install anaconda on your drive. remove them all
and visit to C:\Users\<username> and you can find this babies
.anaconda
.conda
Kill them all, reinstall anaconda.
Now it works well.

I uninstalled any previous versions.Restarted system and installed Anaconda again at path C:\Users\xyzuser\Anaconda.It is working now

I solved it with:
0. Rename/delete previous Anaconda3 directory (at c:\ProgramData\Anac...) (show/check hidden items at File Manager to delete it)
1. Re-install Anaconda
2. At Advanced Installation Options, I check both:
2.1. [check] Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable
2.2. [check] Register Anaconda as my default Python 3.6
3. then click Install button
4. Done
my OS: windows 10, 64bit

I have met exactly the same problem when I was using anaconda 5.3.1 on windows10.
Well, the solution is to uninstall your anaconda and re-install it.
And when you install anaconda, you can't close the exe command window manually which would show up at the end of installing. You should let it run and exit by itself. Only by this way your anaconda would be installed correctly.

The Fix is simple. Here's what you need to do.
Go to--
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Continuum\anaconda3\Scripts\
*Replace USERNAME with your own***
If you are not able to access this location, then directly search in your C drive for Continuum, and from there you can write the rest of the URL
Search for "Activate.bat"
If you are able to find this file, then go to ANACONDA PROMPT and
Change your directory by typing:
cd C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Continuum\anaconda3\Scripts\
*Replace USERNAME with your own***
Your directory is now projecting to this new location.
Now type:
activate.bat
Hit enter
Now you activated your Anaconda.
Now, you can check if it is working or not by typing
Conda list

zsh: conda not found even after included in path and installed

I was doing something & I messed up everything. Now if I type conda in terminal and it says zsh conda not found
Here's my .zshrc file
alias python='python3'
# added by Anaconda3 4.4.0 installer
export PATH="/Users/abhimanyuaryan/anaconda/bin:$PATH"export PATH="/usr/local/opt/opencv3/bin:$PATH"
I tried re-installing anaconda but it says it's already installed in my home directory consider upgrading anacoda and then installation fails
with a message that installer failed with an error contact manufacturer for assitance

Removed anaconda completely and reinstalled anaconda fixed this problem

I faced the same issue in my macOS Catalina, tried everything but nothing went on work, at last I found the way how to git rid of this error, just follow few steps and you will get an amazing result.
step one - press command and space, and type users on the spotlight search, type users, you will see your computer name click on it and in the upper search bar for searching folder files of the finder, type anconda (your version) and delete the folder.
step two - download and install it back but be careful in the step of installation when your are installing it for yourself, rather go for the disk and click on the disk then click on the change location and add the location of (Users/computer name/ ) and then install it, it's all done!, try this command conda --version , if it works it means you are able to work with conda, check your python version as well: by the command python --version .

python 3.4.3 64bit a program required for this install could not be run

Trying to install Python 3.4.3 64-Bit and it gives me the following error:
'There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support or package vendor'
I have no bloody idea what this means so please help. Thanks in advance
I'm the admin on my computer and have all permissions
My windows is 64bit and is Windows 8.1

I had the same phenomenon occur when trying to clean up (uninstall various versions of Python and perform a clean install of 3.4.3) on my Windows 7 64-bit laptop. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what "program required for this install to complete could not be run". Repeated attempts to "install for all users" produced the same "could not be run" (followed by a roll back of the install). Just before getting out Orca and diving into the innards of the MSI file, I attempted an "install just for me", and the install completed. I am, in fact, the only (human) user of this computer. There is another user account that was created during a cygwin setup, and access to some aspect of that user's profile/resources may have been the issue. If you are installing Python for your own use - and not as a "platform-wide" resource for other users as well - you might try installing "just for me".

For me the problem was that I had an older version of Python installed, that the MSI could not un-install. I had to manually remove it first.
This is how I resolved the problem on my Windows7 machine...
Open a command prompt and navigate to the location of the python.exe. (For me this was C:\Python34.)
Execute this command
python3 -B -m ensurepip._uninstall
Close the command prompt.
Using the python MSI file for the version of Python I had previously installed (yes, I went to the Python archive and downloaded the MSI for the old version), install Python again, but without the "pip" package. (Not sure if this is necessary, but it worked for me.)
Using the same Python MSI file, uninstall Python completely.
Using another MSI, for the version of Python you wish to install, you should now be able to perform a "clean" install.

I got the same error while uninstalling the python file from the control panel. It prompts
There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support or package vendor
I have solved this problem by installing the specific python-<version>.amd64.msi.
I then executed the MSI file. It asks for Change, repair, remove. First, click on Change radio button and complete execution. Later you can come to control panel and repair or uninstall the python file.

I had the same symptoms as OP. In my case, i had two separate installs, one of 2.7 and one of 3.4.3 and when i checked the PATH variable, there were 2 lines about PYTHONPATH pointing to the 2.7 version.
I removed the lines and then the repair funciton of the MSI did work. I uninstalled both versions and proceeded to reinstall.
Done :)
On a Win7 box:
Startup/ right click on Computer / Properties / Advanced system settings / Environment variables then check both sub-windows for paths related to python.

I had just the exact problem. But in mine case i've additionally removed the c:\python27 and c:\python36 directories and associated installers got stuck around Install/Uninstall and could not completely repair the installation (the /Scripts subdirectory has been missed and the python.exe reported an error about missed encodings module).
But i've found a solution for myself. Seems somehow the PYTHONHOME and PYTHONPATH environment variables (and may be PATH too) has been interfering with the Python installation process. But because i could not run Uninstall from the Windows Uninstall list in the Control Panel, then i did this:
Cleanup the PATH environment variable from all python path occurrences.
Remove PYTHONHOME and PYTHONPATH environment variables.
Restart Windows Explorer if environment variables (console command set PY must return the empty list) is not updated.
Run repair from (!) the python-3.4.4*.exe/python-2.7.11*.exe executables (download it if not done yet). Icons in the Windows Uninstall list in the Control Panel will reset into the original state for a repaired python installation.
Run the Uninstall from the same executables or from Windows Uninstall list in the Control Panel.
And it did the trick!
If you still needs the both versions of the python installation, then try install the older versions before the new versions. Seems it's important too.

Poking around, there is a temp file saying:
Error 1721. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A
program required for this install to complete could not be run.
Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Action: UpdatePip,
location: C:\Programs\PY272\python.exe, command: -m ensurepip -U
--default-pip
=== Logging stopped: 6/12/2015 13:26:17 ===
OK, so the missing "Voldemort" file (that which shall not be mentioned) is the ensurepip package. There is documentation for ensurepip at https://docs.python.org/2/library/ensurepip.html. I am still on 2.7, but it looks like this is a shared problem with Py 3.
The documentation says the ensurepip package is new in 2.7.9. My solution: install a version prior to 2.7.9 and then upgrade the files myself from an existing install. Done.