How To Launch Python On Windows: A Step-By-Step Guide

Python is a versatile and widely-used programming language, known for its simplicity and readability. If you’re using a Windows computer and want to get started with Python, follow these steps how to launch Python on Windows system.

1. Table of Contents

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   Download Python

Before you can launch Python, you need to install it on your Windows computer. Here’s how to do it:

• Visit the official Python website at python.org.
• Navigate to the “Downloads” section, and you’ll see the latest version of Python available for Windows.
• Choose the installer that matches your system architecture. Most modern Windows systems use the 64-bit version, but if you’re unsure, select the 32-bit version to be safe.
• Click on the installer to download the Python installation executable (e.g., python-3.9.7-amd64.exe for 64-bit).

2. Run the Python Installer

Once the installer is downloaded, locate the executable file and double-click on it to run the installer. Follow these steps:

• In the installer, you’ll see an option to “Add Python X.X to PATH.” Make sure to check this box. This option adds Python to your system’s PATH variable, making it easier to run Python from the Command Prompt.
• Click “Install Now” to begin the installation. Python will be installed in the default location (usually in C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\PythonXX).

3. Launch Python

After the installation is complete, you can launch Python in several ways:

Using Python IDLE

Python comes with an integrated development environment called IDLE. You can open it by:

• Press the Windows key and type “IDLE.” Click on “IDLE (Python X.X 64-bit)” or a similar entry that matches your Python version.

Using Command Prompt

You can also launch Python from the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

• Press the Windows key and type “cmd” to open the Command Prompt.
• In the Command Prompt, simply type python and press Enter. This will start the Python interpreter, and you can begin entering Python commands.

Using Python IDEs

While Python IDLE is a basic environment, many developers prefer using Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, or Jupyter Notebook for Python programming. These IDEs offer advanced features and a more comprehensive development environment.

• Download and install your preferred Python IDE.
• Open the IDE, create a new Python file, and start coding.

4. Verify Your Python Installation

To ensure that Python is correctly installed and running, open the Python interpreter and check the version:

• Open Command Prompt or Python IDLE.
• Type python –version and press Enter. You should see the Python version you installed (e.g., “Python 3.9.7”).

Congratulations, you’ve successfully launched Python on your Windows system! You’re now ready to write, run, and experiment with Python code to build a wide range of applications. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, Python’s simplicity and extensive libraries make it a powerful language for various projects.

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