Develop Reference

PYSimpleGUI module not found

I made a program in python which I now wanted to turn into an .exe so that other people at my office, who do not have python or any python skills can use it too. This is not the first time I did this, and I am still working on the same machine, however this time I run into the "module not found" error when trying to execute the exe.
Basically I created a GUI with PySimpleGUI and then followed my own guide from last time, where I created a spec file with pyi-makespec, specifying the paths in which the packages are located. These are two locations: in C:// where python is installed, and in the "venv" folder of my Pycharm project. PYSimpleGUI is located in "venv" but not in "C".
After creating the spec file I create the exe with pyinstaller. It was suggested to use --hidden-import=PySimpleGUI as additional flag, which I did do, but I still got the same error. I also made sure python is added to my PATH, but maybe I did something wrong there? Tha path I used is the one where python is installed: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Lib\site-packages is that right?
I am completely stuck and can't find any helpful information. How do I solve this issue? Also important: I do not have admin rights on my computer, so installing stuff is always linked to me having to call the support desk...
If more information about this project is needed, let me know.

Usually, modules not found tend to be the issues with virtual environment. Python uses those venvs as some sort of folders where it stores the Python interpreter and packages installed with pip. If you have an error saying some module is not found, you should either install it on your current environment or switch to the one where ot is already installed. For more details, I recommend you to take a look at this tutorial how to use and setup them.
Additionally, you do not need to compile Python code if you can afford relying on the interpreter installed. If you know your target audience has the interpreter installed (an interpreter is usually shipped with various Linux distributives), then you can just give them your source code or even pycache (.pyc) files that it can interpret as well.

I tried three different things at the same time, one of them seemed to have solved the problem:
1.) update pip with the following commands in the PyCharm Terminal
pip install --upgrade PySimpleGUI
2.) update PySimpleGUI with the following commands in the PyCharm Terminal
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip
3.) add python39 to PATH
I checked again and I did have \Python39\Scripts in my PATH, but not \Python39 itself, so I added it. The way to do it on windows is to search for "environment variables" (Umgegungsvariablen in german), edit the "Path" Variable (double click or click and press edit, which opens a new window), then add new Path (mine is C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39)
I sort them with Python39 being above Python39\Scripts.
This solved my problem with PySimpleGUI, my program started as expected, but then ran into another missing module error (xlsxwriter not found), which - fair enough - was not imported. (interestingly when running the code in pycharm I didn't need xlsxwriter). I imported it, added it to venv, and when starting the program again, the error showed up even before showing the GUI. I then upgraded xlsxwriter with
pip install --upgrade xlsxwriter
I again created the .spec file and ran pyinstaller to create the exe. This time it worked.
Now I only have issues left which are not connected to missing modules (just variable referenced before assigned).

Error on visual studio code: Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store [duplicate]

I was trying to download a GUI, but the terminal kept giving me this error:
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.
I'm trying to install it using this command:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv

Check your Python version and be sure it is installed on your machine
Check the path environment variable
Go to -> "start" and type "Manage App Execution Aliases". Go to it and turn off "Python"

I was having the same issue and I fixed it by using the below method.
Copy two paths of Python
C:\Users\Maninder\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39
C:\Users\Maninder\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts
These are the paths where your Python interpreter is installed. Now add this path into your environmental
variable. Put this path into System variable, not in user variable. I was using user variable, so I was facing the issue.

I have a solution for you. Make sure you check the path mark during installation. Then you need to go to Manage App Execution Aliases.
Simply go to your search bar and search for Manage App Execution Aliases. You will find the attached screen and you need to turn off App Installers as you see on the screen. Also, see the path,,, follow Maninder's answer.
Then you are good to go! :)

I had the same issue. In Windows CMD, only: py --version, works.
I tried adding the path on System variables, and it didn't work. If you are using PyCharm as I do, try to run all commands from the IDE's terminal. It usually is on the side bar where the Run and the Console is. If it is not, go to: menu View → Tool Windows → Terminal. It worked just fine for me.

You need to download Python from https://python.org. When in the installation, be sure to check the option that adds Python to PATH.

I haven't gotten this error before and have been using Python a long time, and then suddenly it showed up. I think that it is a result of a Windows update designed to steer you to their store.
In any case: to remedy the problem, go to Settings → app execution aliases → and turn "off" Python. (What they tell you to do, in other words). This should resolve the problem.

If you have installed Python successfully with add python path, ticked on, and have added
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts
to the path into System variables and have turned off the "aliases" and they all didn't work, you can simply use python instead of python3 in your cmd command.

Check the Aliases for App Execution in Windows. Search for Alias App in your Windows toolbar to find the UI for this. Try turning off anything Python related.

Try adding the following to your "Path" environment variable:
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37\Scripts
Replace Python37 with your own version.

I solved this problem for Visual Studio Code with just writing "python" in the console:
python
After that, Microsoft Store opens automatically with the Python app:
And I just click Get.
And it all work!

All the previous answers are correct, but in my case, I was getting this, because I was not passing the version...
The fix is passing the version:
py.exe -3 your_program

If you're on Windows, you may want to use the Python installer, in Windows Marketplace.

I faced the same error while using Anaconda and trying to link the Python executable path in the command prompt.
It got rectified by going to Settings → App execution aliases → and turning "off" Python. Then again I had to set the path for Python in Anaconda and was successful in executing "python --version" command.

The same thing happened to me even after trying all the above-mentioned steps.
I just restart my system and it was working fine. Do it and if still doesn't fix the issue then make sure you have checked "add python ( any version ) to PATH" before installing Python.

If none of the previous answers are working, you can check if you have the Python executable in your program files.
Go to C:\Program Files and check if you have the Python application. If not, go to the python download website here and download the .exe file.
While installing you must select "Custom install" and select the location as C:/Program Files.
Install it and it should work now from anywhere. This worked for me!

To sincerely resolve this issue, do the following:
Uninstall the Python instance and reinstall it. Note: Make sure you check
"Add variable PATH".
On the command line, type:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv

I got this issue when I used Visual Studio Code as the IDE, and Anaconda as my Python compiler. And you don't need to close the "app alias" in settings, but copy your python.exe to python3.exe in your Anaconda folder.

That happened to me. So, to fix it, you have to follow the following steps:
Uninstall the Python version you already installed.
Go ahead and open the installation file to reinstall it again.
Before hitting Install Now, make sure to tick the box in front of Add Python to path.
Go ahead and complete the installation procedure as usual.
Steps for installing Python

The problem is more subtle than it seems.
For example, if you are using Visual Studio Code on the bottom left, you should see Python X.X.X xx-bit (the X is the version).
If you click in there you will see where the IDE is getting the python.exe from.
Locate that folder into your file explorer and then just follow the answer that is saying to change the environments variables.
So copy the path where python.exe is and add it to the Path variable and do the same where the Script folder is (it is in the same directory where the python.exe is).
Then of course make sure your IDE is using the right Python.

None of the answers here worked for me. I did this and the error went away.
For Windows 11 which I was using, I reran the python-3.10.5-amd64.exe file from my downloads directory and then chose to modify the installation.
Then I followed these easy steps.
Make sure the PIP component is checked before proceeding to install.
Then check 'Add Python to environment variables' if it's not checked already.
Proceed to Install.
At this point, your error will be solved

If you already have the Python executable on your machine and you are getting this error in Windows 10, search for the Python executable and copy its path then copy the path in system variables. It worked for me.

to check in windows
py --version
or restart your pc first then put htis command again

Python -V not working or returning any error on Windows 10

I tried to upgrade python version. It didn't work so I uninstalled python from my system. Deleted from Path and re-installed it. Ever since the reinstall
python -V
doesn't work. I have set the path manually and didn't work. Uninstalled and tried again, this time checked the tick-box that says add python to path.
No matter what I do can't seem to get the commands working.
As like the picture I get nothing. The version or anything else.
How am I to fix this problem?

Reason for the behaviour
Your system is using wrong python.exe. (not the one you installed, but one coming with Windows)
How to fix this?
It's completely ok to keep the C:/Users/<user>/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowsApps on you PATH, but make sure that your python installation folder (folder with python.exe) is in your PATH above the C:/Users/<user>/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowsApps, because the PATH is checked in order from top to bottom (or left to right).
To edit the environment variables, use Win -> type "envir" to the search -> Edit environment variables for your account -> Environment Variables... -> Select from the top list (user list) the "Path" and press "Edit...".
Notes
You can check what python.exe your command is using in Powershell with Get-Command python.
You probably want to also include the /Scripts folder of your python installation to the PATH. (there are common tools like pip.exe, and any .exe coming from a package, such as ipython.exe)
This problem happens because there is a default python.exein newer Windows 10 versions. See: Who put Python in the Windows 10 May 2019 Update?
The Process PATH is not updated if you edit the User or System PATH; you need to restart the Powershell to make the changes visible. If you use terminal of an IDE, you need to close all windows for the process once.

Delete the file c:/Users/<user>/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowsApps/python.exe

Python global environment screwed up

So, I've been toying around with python environments and I think i screwed mine up.
So when I ran python in shell, it would tell me i'm running on 2.7
I'm on windows 10, and i need a python switcher for my next project so i download pywin and used pywin to switch it to 3.5
the command i used was
pywin setdefault 3.5
now when i type python it says
python is not recognized as an internal or external command.
but py produces
Python 2.7.12
Now i can't use pip, easy_install, virtualenv
all of these commands i used to use, i suddenly no longer have access to them.
I tried switching back
but it wont even recognize pywin anymore.

The best way to check which Python version is executed is to check your environment variables. Another way of checking this is using the which command. (open cmd and run which python).
But, first you need to start a new cmd prompt to ensure your environment variables are not altered.
On Windows, but also any OS, you need to check the PATH and PYTHONPATH variables.
For Windows, follow the recommandations available in the Python documentation.
If you're not very experienced with working with windows, installations, and other similar things, I would recommend that you uninstall python, delete all versions/folders containing python (compiled) files (those that were installed with python, not the ones you've written) and then reinstall python. The installer should re-set the path variable to the correct location.

python not recognized in Windows CMD even after adding to PATH

I'm trying to -learn to write and- run Python scripts on my Windows 7 64 bit machine. I installed Python in C:/Python34, and I added this to my Windows' PATH variable :
C:\Python34; C:\Python34\python.exe
(the second one is probably meaningless but I tried) and still I get this error in Windows command line :
C:\Users\me>python test.py
'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
So how do I truly install Python on my Windows x64 machine ?

This might be trivial, but have you tried closing your command line window and opening a new one? This is supposed to reload all the environment variables.
Try typing
echo %PATH%
into the command prompt and see if you can find your Python directory there.
Also, the second part of your addition to the PATH environment variable is indeed unnecessary.

I had the same problem: python not being recognized, with python in the path which was was not truncated.
Following the comment of eryksun in yossim's answer:
Also, if you installed for all users you should have %SystemRoot%\py.exe, which >is typically C:\Windows\py.exe. So without setting Python's directory in PATH >you can simply run py to start Python; if 2.x is installed use py -3 since >Python 2 is the default. – eryksun
I tried to use py instead of python and it worked.
Meaning:
python setup.py build -> does NOT work.
py setup.py build -> does work.
Hope it helps

I was also having the same problem.
Turns out the path I added included '..\python.exe' at the end, which as turns out was not required. I only needed to add the directory in which 'python.exe' is in (which in my case is the Anaconda's distribution directory in Users folder), similar to what we do when installing JDK in our system's PATH variable.
Hope it helps!

It wasn't working for me even after adding the path. What finally did the trick, was changing the order of listed paths in the PATH variable. I moved %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps down vs. having it the first path listed there.

Environment PATH Length Limitation is 1024 characters
If restarting your cmd window does not work you might have reached the character limit for PATH, which is a surprisingly short 1024 characters.
Note that the user interface will happily allows you to define a PATH that is way longer than 1024, and will just truncate anything longer than this. Use
echo %PATH%
in your cmd window to see if the PATH being truncated.
Solution
Unfortunately, there is no good way to fix this besides removing something else from your PATH.
NOTE: Your PATH = SYSTEM_PATH + USER_PATH, so you need to make sure the combined is < 1024.

I did everything:
Added Python to PATH
Uninstall all the Pythons - Both from downloaded python.org and Microsoft Store and reinstall from python.org
Change the order of PATH
Deleted %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps from PATH
But nothing worked. What worked for me was:
Settings > Application > App execution aliases. Then disable all the Pyhtons from here and it worked!

Also, make sure to leave no spaces after the semi-colon.
For example, this didn't work for me:
C:\Windows\system32; C:\Python27; C:\Python27\Scripts;
But, this did:
C:\Windows\system32;C:\Python27;C:\Python27\Scripts;

I'm late to the game here, but I'd like to share my solution for future users. The previous answers were on the right track, but if you do not open the CMD as an administrator, then you will be thrown that same error. I know this seems trivial and obvious, but after spending the past 8 hours programming before attempting to install Django for the first time, you might be surprised at the stupid mistakes you might make.

I have faced same problem even though my path contains 400 characters.
Try to update the path from the command line(Run as administrator)
Command to update path: setx path "%path%;c:\examplePath"
After this command I could see that paths that I configured earlier in environment variables got updated and working.
To check the configured paths: echo %PATH%

I was facing similar porblem. What helped me is where command.
C:\WINDOWS\system32>where python
C:\Users\xxxxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\python.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual
Studio\Shared\Python39_86\python.exe
On updating PATH variable to point to only one desired directory (basically I removed %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps from PATH) fixed my problem.

I had the same issue with Python 2.7 on Windows 10 until I changed the file path in Enviroment Variables to the folder path, ie C:\Python27\python.exe didn't work but C:\Python27\ did work.

For me, installing the 'Windows x86-64 executable installer' from the official python portal did the trick.
Python interpreter was not initially recognized, while i had installed 32 bit python.
Uninstalled python 32 bit and installed 64 bit.
So, if you are on a x-64 processor, install 64bit python.

I tried it multiple times with the default installer option, the first one, (Python 3.7.3) with both 'add to environment variable' and 'all users' checked, though the latter was greyed out and couldn't be unchecked.
It failed to work for other users except for the user I installed it under until I uninstalled it and chose "Custom Install". It then clearly showed the install path being in the C:\Program Files\Python37 directory when it was failing to install it there the other way even though the 'All Users' option was checked.

Same thing was happening with me when i was trying to open the python immediately with CMD.
Then I kept my in sleep mode and started CMD using these Key Windows_key+R, typed cmd and OK. Then the package of python worked perfectly.

Uninstall python and pyqt
Then go to pyqt setup and open installation but don't install. You will see a message box saying something like pyqt version built with python version 32bit/64bit.
Then see python version bit and download that version from python.org from all release menu.
Then first install python and then install pyqt. It will work like butter.

I spent sometime checking and rechecking the path and restarting to no avail.
The only thing that worked for me was to rename the executable C:\Python34\python.exe to C:\Python34\python34.exe. This way, calling typing python34 at the command line now works.
On windows it seems that when calling 'python', the system finds C:\Python27 in the path before it finds C:\Python34
I'm not sure if this is the right way to do this, seems like a hack, but it seems to work OK.