Today when I tried to run simple code on Sublime Text 3, the following message appeared:
Python was not found but can be installed from the Microsoft Store: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?linkID=2082640
And when I type Python in CMD, it opens the Windows Store for me to download Python 3.7. This problem started today for no good reason. I didn't change or download anything about Python and already tried reinstalling Python, and the Path environment variable is correct.
Use the Windows search bar to find "Manage app execution aliases". There should be two aliases for Python. Unselect them, and this will allow the usual Python aliases "python" and "python3". See the image below.
I think we have this problem when installing Python because in a new Windows installation the aliases are in the ON position as in image below. When turned on, Windows puts an empty or fake file named python.exe and python3.exe in the directory named %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps. This is the alias.
Then Microsoft put that directory at the top of the list in the "Path" environment variables.
When you enter "python" in cmd, it searches the directories listed in your "Path" environment variables page from top to bottom. So if you installed Python after a new Windows 10 install then get redirected to the Windows Store, it's because there are two python.exe's: The alias in the App Execution Alias page, and the real one wherever you installed Python. But cmd finds the App execution, alias python.exe, first because that directory is at the top of the Path.
I think the easiest solution is to just check the python.exe and python3.exe to OFF as I suggested before, which deletes the fake EXE file files. Based on this Microsoft Devblog, they stated they created this system partially for new Python users, specifically kids learning Python in school that had trouble installing it.
Creating this alias was to help kids just starting Python to install it and focus on learning to code. I think Windows probably deletes those aliases if you install Python from the Windows App Store. We are noticing that they do not get deleted if you manually install from another source.
(Also, the empty/fake python.exe is not really empty. It says 0 KB in the screenshot, but entering "start ms-windows-store:" in cmd opens the Windows App Store, so it probably just has a line with that and a way to direct it to the Python page.)
Finally, as Chipjust suggested, you can create a new alias for Python using something like DOSKEY as explained in this article for example:
How to set aliases for the command prompt in Windows
The main problem here is that the order in the path calls the windows from top to bottom, and that there is python.exe in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps which is called first if there are no other python.exes in the PATH above that line.
To ensure that the correct python.exe is called, add the Python interpreter installation folder (containing python.exe) to the PATH, above %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
Here is an example:
To get to this location, click "Start" → start typing "Env" → Select "Edit the system environment variables" → "Environment variables" button → Select the entry for "Path" in the upper list → Click "Edit".
Python components should be at the top, as in step 5. If not, move them up by pressing the button in step 6.
If the Python interpreter is already installed, then go to Apps & features from settings, select Python, and then select modify.
Again select modify and select Next:
Then this window will appear:
Select "add Python to environment variable" and click on the install button. Then again go to apps & features, click modify and click Repair.
Now go to CMD and type Python.
Problem solved.
This is a PowerShell script that does the magic.
Remove-Item $env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\python*.exe
I had problems with this as well, where Windows didn't recognize Python or Anaconda in a double click or cmd (command) prompt.
Problem: unable to import libraries in "python" cmd in Windows. Instead the Windows "python" cmd took users somewhere they don't want to go.
Problem Cause: In Windows "Environmental Variables", Windows adds a python.exe and python3.exe (I don't know where these link to) in the "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps" directory.
Solution: I tried deleting the python*.exe files in the WindowsApp directory, but Windows wouldn't allow it, so I opened a command prompt in the "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps" directory and typed:
del python.exe
del python3.exe
Then I created an environment variable linking to the installed Python interpreter link. In my case, it was C:\Anaconda3; C:\Anaconda3\Scripts, and some others for good measure.
Because this is a common issue and this appears to be the canonical question, I want to try to give a complete overview of The Python 3.7 Windows Store Fiasco (TM).
Why is it possible for this to happen?
A convergence of two things: the previous introduction of the Python Launcher for Windows in 2011 (hereafter py), and a Windows 10 update in May 2019 that was apparently intended to make installing Python easier for Windows users.
Oops. Turns out that installation path isn't great; it bypasses the "lengthy" setup wizard... which contains some options that some users find very useful. It caused other issues, too. Not to mention that it just works in slightly non-standard ways, has limitations on file system access because it's a Store app, initially couldn't itself be launched by py....
Okay, but why do those factors result in the problem?
Since the introduction of py, by default, Windows Python installers do not add the new Python install to the PATH. Why? Because the entire point of py is that it uses its own logic to find a Python installation, based on some combination of command-line switches and possibly the source file's own shebang line. Now your source files can be associated with py instead of any particular python.exe, and you can get Linux-like behaviour when double-clicking a file. Meanwhile, by running py at the command line, you have easy access to whatever you need, and you don't have to think about which version of Python was installed most recently. So there's seemingly no good reason to put any of those Python installations on the PATH. It only risks confusing you when, for example, the most recently installed version isn't the most up-to-date one. Right?
In the update, Windows 10 put a "python.exe" into a Windows Apps-related folder, which is a wrapper app to open a Microsoft Store link. The idea is that it's on the PATH, but way near the end; so if you have an installed Python, it gets used, and otherwise the wrapper is invoked and helpfully prompts you to install Python - so that you can actually run that random, totally trusted .py file your friend sent you on Discord.
And it would work perfectly, if your installed Python were on the PATH.
Oops.
(But, you know, py had been introduced around 8 years prior. You'd think someone at Microsoft would have been aware of the potential issue. Maybe instead of a special shortcut link, they could have made an actual script that checks for the presence of C:\Windows\py.exe or something.)
So what are my options?
You can check the option to add new Python versions to the PATH when you install them, and deal with the fact that python at the command line means a specific one of them. If you need to change that, you can manually tweak your PATH variable.
You can just manually tweak the PATH variable after the fact. (or "Modify" a Python installation to fix it.) This is covered in several other answers.
Independently of that, you can disable the wrappers, as shown in the top answer. You should probably do this anyway; seeing python fail at the command line is less aggravating than dealing with a random GUI window popping up and offering to install something for you, especially when you know you have it already.
If you want to keep the PATH empty, consider using virtual environments for your projects. Whenever a virtual environment is active, the PATH is temporarily modified such that python means the Python installation of that environment. It's quite convenient, really.
You might be able to tell your IDEs to use py instead of a specific Python installation, and it might even be helpful to do so. I don't know. I don't use one.
As a person who does Python development in Sublime Text, I know you said the Python interpreter path was correct, but when you install the Python interpreter make sure to tick the option to add Python to PATH.
I had the same issue back in the day till I did this.
You can manually add Python to the Windows path by doing this:
Start the Run box and enter sysdm.cpl
Go to the Advanced tab and click the Environment Variables button
Now you’ll need to locate the relevant Python paths
Here is how a Python application path looks like:
And this is how a Python Scripts path looks like:
Select the Path variable, press edit and add both paths (Python application and Python Scripts)
If it doesn't show, press new instead of edit and fill the New User Variable box
This is how my Variable value looks like:
C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37-32;C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37-32\Scripts
That’s it! You just added Python to the Windows Path.
Source: Data To Fish
So, I had the same problem.
My answer was to add python to PATH not only for User variables, it was there, but also for System variables. And now everything works.
So, I've got the same problem in VENV.
I solved it by typing >> python**.exe**
But to add every time .exe a little bit nervous.
Also try to type python.exe in cmd.
This is an additional note for anyone using pyenv-win: after turning off the application execution aliases, run pyenv rehash. You may also need to close/reopen your CMD or PowerShell window.
I have put together a powershell snippet, which reorders WindowsApps and Python folder so that Python is first. Run this as Admin:
$appsFld="$env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps";
$pyPath=(Resolve-Path "$env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python*\")
$Env:Path = (($Env:Path.Split(';') | Where-Object { $_ -ne "$appsFld" }) -join ';');
$Env:Path = (($Env:Path.Split(';') | Where-Object { $_ -ne "$pyPath" }) -join ';');
$Env:Path += ";$pyPath";
$Env:Path +=";$appsFld";
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", "$Env:Path", "Machine")
Then I can run python just fine:
> python
Python 3.10.7 (tags/v3.10.7:6cc6b13, Sep 5 2022, 14:08:36) [MSC v.1933 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> quit
Adding a bit to the question. Even when I typed pip freeze, it wasn't showing anything.
Here's what I did:
There were multiple instances for the Python application in /AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowApps.
I deleted those and then it worked.
This question already has answers here:
How can I add python to cmd in windows [closed]
(2 answers)
Closed 2 years ago.
The Chinese words read 'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program or batch file.
I followed instructions on the Internet to solve this and did the followings. However, python is still not recognized. My computer runs windows 10 and my python version is 3.7.
I am a complete novice in programming. Your help means a lot to me. Thank you in advance.
(C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Python3.7)
Since Python 3.3, the installer automatically installs the py launcher on your path, and since 3.6, it doesn't put python itself on your path unless you enable a checkbox in the installer.
And that's fine, because you usually want to use py rather than python anyway. See Python Launcher for Windows in the help.
If you really need python on your path, the recommended solution is to just re-run the installer, select Modify, and click the checkbox. If you want to do it manually, you can, but it really isn't necessary. See Finding the Python executable in the docs for details.
You probably did not add Python to PATH
Look for your installed Python inside C:\Program Files folder
Take note of the path of Python
Ex. C:\Program Files\Pyhton37
Adding python directory to PATH
Right click on This PC
Then click on Properties
At the pop up window, look for Environment Variables
At the first box look for PATH, double click it and press ADD. Add both C:\Program Files\Python37 and C:\Program Files\Python37\Scripts inside.
Now try again
I am beginning to look at python, so when I found a tutorial it said that the first thing to do would be to download python from www.python.org/downloads/
Now when I downloaded python 3, I then started the installation and got to
Why would I want to "Add Python 3.5 to PATH"? What is PATH? Why is it not ticked by default?
PATH is an environment variable in Windows. It basically tells the commandline what folders to look in when attempting to find a file. If you didn't add Python to PATH then you would call it from the commandline like this:
C:/Python27/Python some_python_script.py
Whereas if you add it to PATH, you can do this:
python some_python_script.py
Which is shorter and neater. It works because the command line will look through all the PATH folders for python and find it in the folder that the Python installer has added there.
The reason it's unticked by default is partly because if you're installing multiple versions of Python, you probably want to be able to control which one your commandline will open by default, which is harder to do if both versions are being added to your PATH.
In addition to what #SuperBiasedMan stated, you can edit your PATH in Windows by hitting Start > Run, then type sysdm.cpl.
From there, navigate to Advanced tab and then hit Environment Variables.
In the lower section, where it says 'System variables', find the one named PATH and double click it. Note that it would be easier to copy and paste it to a notepad or something. The separator as you can see is a semi-colon.
Any path that you add to this variable, will be looked when you type any command in a cmd window or through the 'Run' command line.
That's the same concept as in Linux, I just pointed out how it can be edited.
This shows the way if you haven't add python to PATH(By the way, the python.exe is in my Python directory)
This is the way if you add python to a PATH
I am trying to follow learn python the hard way but it won't load in the powershell. I typed in the exact line that is
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Python27", "User")
but I know that won't work cause that isn't where python is installed. I am on a school computer so I have my python installed in mi_lemi(\filer_useres)(G:) but I tried putting that in instead and fiddling around with it but no luck either. Also my python.exe is just alled python.exe so should I remeove the '27' from it?
Thanks!
That call will work for subsequent invocations of PowerShell but it won't help the current PowerShell session. For the current session use:
$env:Path += ";C:\Python27"
python.exe
or
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Python27", "Process")
python.exe
Or perhaps just:
C:\> c:\python27\python.exe
Just in case this is also the issue. I found Python replaced my PathExt content as well. Check your PathExt environment variable as well just in case it's been replaced with .PY.
It should look something like this.
.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC;.PY
I had the same problem, I finally found how to fix it.
First search python in the windows search, Python 3.7 (32-bit) or another version of python should show up. (If not first install Python.)
Then Right click on it and choose open location then you should see a folder with Python in it.
If the python in that folder is a shortcut, right click on it and choose open location again. (This step is only required if it is a shortcut.)
When you have found the real Python.exe, click on the path wich is above the files on the file manager, copy it.
Then go to Windows PowerShell and type:
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;INSERT WHAT YOU COPIED HERE")
In my case:
C:\Users\Stijn> [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Users\INSERT WINDOWS USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37-32")
That fixed it for me.
Yes, I've searched. So after spending about 4-5 hours struggling just to get Python files running, I recently stumbled over the solution to get it running through the environment variables like this: cmd -> python -> Python starts, yay yay
Since it didn't work to do it through the command line and similar I had to do it manually through the Windows interface. Now that it's working, however I cannot open .py files without typing out the full path like this: python C:\X\X\X\test.py which is obviously also starting to get annoying.
So now I'm trying to find out which variable I have to change (yet again) to only be able to type 'python test.py' and have it running. Sorry if I come off vague, but it's always a major pain to setup a new programming language for me and it kills my mood.
Thanks for help, it'll be really appreciated.
When you say
able to type 'python test.py'
I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Normally when the Python interpreter runs, it looks in the current directory for any source file that is named on the command line (unless you specifically name a location for the source file, as you've discovered). It seems from your previous statement:
python C:\X\X\X\test.py which is obviously also starting to get annoying
that your test.py file exists somewhere else.
What you might want to try is to change the current directory first, before running your script. In a command prompt window, type:
C:
cd \X\X\X
python test.py
(obviously substituting your actual path name). My apologies if you already know this.
To make python executable on your command line, you need to add it to your PATH environment variable, which it sounds like you have done on the command line. It is quite simple to add directories to the PATH in Windows if you know where to look. Essentially, you need to get to the Environment Variables dialog box, which is slightly different for each version of Windows.
For Windows XP: Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables
For Windows Vista, 7: Click the Start Orb, right-click Computer and select Properties -> Advanced -> Environment Variables
Then, in the lower of the two boxes, find Path and click Edit. Change it so that C:\Python27 (or whichever version of Python you have) is at one end of the list, separated from the other entries by a semicolon (e.g. C:\Python27;C:\Program Files ...)
Once you've done this, python will work at the command line whenever you open a command window.
Regarding your second issue, however, there isn't much you can do. You must either specify the complete path to your script or already be in the same directory as the script. That is, if the script is in C:\X\X\X you will either need to invoke it as C:\X\X\X\test.py or first cd C:\X\X\X.