Skip to content

Python Installation Guide

This guide walks you through downloading and installing Python on your computer.

Operating System Instructions

Select your operating system:

1. Download Installer

Visit the official Python website: python.org/downloads and download the Windows installer executable.

2. Important Step: Add Python to PATH

When running the installer, check the checkbox at the bottom of the first dialog:

[x] Add python.exe to PATH

Important Note

If this checkbox is unchecked, typing python in Command Prompt or PowerShell will return an error stating that the command is not recognized.

3. Complete the Wizard

  • Select Install Now.
  • Click Close when the installation succeeds.

4. Verify Installation

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and enter:

python --version
  1. Go to python.org/downloads/macos.
  2. Download the latest macOS 64-bit installer package (.pkg).
  3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps.
  4. Open the Python folder in Applications and double-click Install Certificates.command.

Option 2: Homebrew

brew update
brew install python

Verify Installation

python3 --version

Most modern Linux distributions include Python 3 by default.

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

Fedora / Red Hat

sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S python python-pip

Verify Installation

python3 --version

Verification Test

To verify that both Python and its standard library are working correctly, run:

python -c "import sys; print('Python', sys.version.split()[0], 'installed successfully on', sys.platform)"