Python is not “on” a normal Windows PC until you install it. The official installer is enough. The one checkbox people skip — Add python.exe to PATH — is why the next tutorial they open says python is not recognized. Tick the box. Then prove it in a terminal. That is the whole job.

What you need

  • A browser, to download from python.org only
  • Admin approval if Windows asks
  • Ten minutes

In this guide

  1. Download the official installer
  2. Install and add Python to PATH
  3. Check the install
  4. Run four lines of Python
  5. If the command is not recognized

1. Download the official installer

Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/. Click the big button for the latest stable Windows installer. Do not download Python from a “driver update” site or a random GitHub clone of the installer.

Use the 64-bit installer on a normal PC (see System type in Settings → System → About if you are unsure).

2. Install and add Python to PATH

Run the installer. On the first screen:

  • Tick Add python.exe to PATH (or Add Python to PATH). This is the important box. It is at the bottom, easy to miss.
  • Click Install Now for the default. Use Customize only if you know you need a specific folder.

Wait until Setup was successful. Disable the path-length limit if the installer offers it at the end — it prevents weird errors later with long project folders. Close the installer.

3. Check the install

Close any terminal windows that were already open (they will not see the new PATH). Open a new Terminal or Command Prompt. Type:

python --version

You should see something like Python 3.13.x. Also try:

py --version
pip --version

py is the Windows Python launcher. pip is how you install libraries later. If those three print versions, you are done with setup.

4. Run four lines of Python

In the same terminal:

python

The prompt changes to >>>. Type:

print("hello")
2 + 2

You should see hello and 4. Type exit() or press Ctrl + Z then Enter to leave. That is enough proof that you are not still talking to the Microsoft Store stub.

If the command is not recognized

python is not recognized, or the Store opens

  • You skipped Add to PATH. Run the installer again, choose Modify, enable PATH, or uninstall and reinstall with the box ticked.
  • Windows 10/11 may intercept python and open the Microsoft Store. Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases. Turn off the two python aliases. Then try python --version again.
  • You must open a new terminal after installing. The old window still has the old PATH.
  • Try py --version. If that works and python does not, use py for now.

Next useful step: a file you can double-click later. Create a folder, put a .html page in it for the web side of things, or start Git so this project has a history — Git for the first time and a first HTML page.

Common questions

Where should I download Python?

Only python.org. Do not use a “driver update” site or a random installer clone.

python is not recognized after install.

You skipped Add to PATH, or an old terminal is still open, or Windows Store aliases are intercepting the command. Reinstall with the box ticked, open a new Terminal, turn those aliases off.

Do I need the Microsoft Store Python?

No. The python.org installer is the one tutorials expect. Store aliases often cause the “not recognized” mess.