How to Install Python & Set Up Your Editor

The fastest way to start: download Python from the official site python.org/downloads, install it (on Windows, tick "Add python.exe to PATH"), then open a terminal and type python --version. If it prints something like Python 3.14.0, you are ready to write code.

Let's walk through the full setup so nothing trips you up.

Step 1: Download and install Python

Go to python.org/downloads and download the latest stable release (as of this writing, Python 3.14). The site usually detects your operating system automatically.

On Windows:

• Run the downloaded .exe installer.
• On the first screen, check the box that says "Add python.exe to PATH". This single checkbox saves most beginners from the classic "python is not recognized" error.
• Click Install Now and wait for it to finish.

On macOS:

• macOS ships with an old or no Python for development. Download the official .pkg installer from python.org and run it.
• Alternatively, if you use Homebrew, run brew install python in the Terminal.

On Linux:

• Most distributions already include Python 3. Check with python3 --version. If you need a newer version, use your package manager (e.g. sudo apt install python3 on Ubuntu).

Step 2: Verify the installation

Open a terminal (Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

python --version

On Mac and Linux you often need python3 instead:

python3 --version

You should see the version number printed. You can also open Python's interactive shell by typing python (or python3) and pressing Enter — you'll get a >>> prompt where you can type code directly. Type exit() to leave.

Step 3: Install a code editor (VS Code)

You can write Python in Notepad, but a real editor makes life much easier. We recommend Visual Studio Code (VS Code) — it's free and beginner-friendly.

1. Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com.
2. Install and open it.
3. Click the Extensions icon on the left sidebar (it looks like four squares).
4. Search for "Python" (the one published by Microsoft) and click Install.

The Python extension gives you syntax highlighting, auto-complete, and a built-in way to run files.

Step 4: Write and run your first program

Create a new file called hello.py and type this in:

# hello.py — your very first Python program

# print() shows text on the screen
print("Hello, Infoplanet!")

# input() asks the user for text and stores it in a variable
name = input("What is your name? ")

# An f-string lets you drop variables directly inside text
print(f"Welcome, {name}. You just ran Python!")

To run it, either press the Run (▶) button at the top-right of VS Code, or open a terminal in the same folder and type:

python hello.py

You'll be asked for your name, and Python will greet you back. That's a working program.

Common mistakes

• "python is not recognized" (Windows): You forgot to tick "Add python.exe to PATH". Either re-run the installer and check that box, or add Python to PATH manually. The quickest fix is reinstalling with the box checked.
• python opens the Microsoft Store (Windows): Windows ships a fake "app alias". Disable it under Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases, or just use the path from python.org.
• python vs python3: On Mac and Linux, python may point to an old version or nothing at all. Use python3 for running and pip3 for installing packages.
• Saving the file with the wrong extension: Your file must end in .py, not .py.txt. In VS Code this isn't an issue, but it catches people using Notepad.
• Running the file from the wrong folder: If you get "No such file or directory", make sure your terminal is in the same folder as your .py file (use cd to change folders).

FAQ

Do I need to install pip separately? No. Modern Python installers include pip (the package installer) automatically.

Which version should I learn? Always learn Python 3 (3.14 or the latest). Python 2 reached end of life and is no longer supported.

Is VS Code mandatory? No, but it's the most popular free choice. PyCharm Community Edition and Thonny are good alternatives, especially Thonny for absolute beginners.

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Once your setup works, the next thing to learn is how to store data. Read our guide on Variables & Data Types in Python, then explore the full Python learning hub.

Want to learn this properly? Join the waitlist for our Python course — taught in Jalgaon, beginner-friendly.