Develop Reference

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 not found' despite having been installed

I've installed Python's latest version. However, when I write in command prompts
python --version
I get:
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.
I tried downloading it directly from the Microsoft Store, however, the problem with that was that I could not very easily create a path for it and ran out of skills.
Anyways I'm trying to get Robot Framework to run just for fun, I'm a complete beginner as you can probably see. What should I do to fix this?

You have to add the path of Python to the environment of your system.
For more details refer: How to add Python to Windows PATH

How to add Python to Windows PATH
There are few ways in which you can add Python to Windows PATH. In this guide, I’ll share with you two methods that you can use to add Python to Windows path:
Via the installation of a recent version of Python
Manual entry of the paths
But why would you want to add Python to Windows path in the first place?
Well, if you try to install a Python package using PIP for example, you may get the following error in the Windows Command Prompt:
‘pip’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file
To overcome this error, you may apply any of the two methods described below.
Method 1: Install a Recent Version of Python
You can easily add Python to Windows path by downloading a recent version of Python, and then checking the box to Add Python to PATH during the installation.
Before you proceed, you may choose to uninstall your previous version of Python if needed.
In my case, the latest version of Python that was available to download was version 3.7.2.
In the Python installation box, just check the box to add Python to PATH as below:
How to add Python to Windows PATH
Finish the installation, and you should be good to go.
Alternatively, you may manually add the paths into the Environment variables.
Method 2: Manually add Python to Windows Path
If you wish to stick with your previous version of Python, you may apply the steps below to manually add Python to Windows path.
Note that I’ll be using Windows 10 to demonstrate the steps, but similar principles would apply for previous versions of Windows.
Step 1: Navigate to the Windows Environment Variables screen
To navigate to the Windows Environment Variables screen, where you can add/edit your paths, simply right click on the ‘This PC‘ icon. Then, select ‘Properties.’
This PC - Windows 10
Next, click on the ‘Advanced system settings‘
Advanced system settings
Finally, click on the ‘Environment Variables…‘
Environment variables
That should take you to the Environment Variables screen, where you can add/edit your paths.
Click on ‘New…‘ to add the ‘Path’ variable (note that if your ‘Path’ variable already exists, then click on ‘Edit…’ instead):
add Python to path
You should then see the following box, which will allow you to add/edit variables:
New User Variable
Before you type any values, you’ll need to locate the relevant Python paths. The paths that you’ll need to get are:
The Python application path, which is the folder where you originally installed Python; and
The Python Scripts path. The Scripts folder should be located within the Python application path.
Here is how my Python application path looks like:
Python application path
And this is how my Python Scripts path looks like:
Python Scripts path
Now let’s fill the New User Variable box that you saw earlier:
New User Variable
For the Variable name, type ‘Path‘.
For the Variable value, copy the full Python application path, then use semicolon (as highlighted in yellow below), and finally copy the Python Scripts path.
This is how my Variable value looks like:
C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37-32;C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37-32\Scripts
Put all the values together in the New User Variable box:
New User Variable - Windows 10
Press ‘OK’ and you would then see your new Python Path under the ‘User variables’ section. Don’t forget to press ‘OK’ again so that the changes will get implemented.
How to add Python to Windows PATH
That’s it! You just added Python to the Windows Path.
You’ll now be able to install Python packages easily, by opening the Windows Command Prompt and then typing:
pip install package name
For example, to install the pandas package, simply type ‘pip install pandas’ and then press Enter:
How to add Python to Windows PATH
Similarly, you may upgrade PIP by typing the following command:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

How to install Python on a recent Windows computer in C:\Program Files?

I'm starting to get extremely FURIOUS with the latest Windows environments (Windows 10):
I've just downloaded and installed Python, version 3.9.
The installer proposed to install it under "C:\Users...", I thought "No way, because if, for whatever reason, I remove this user, I might remove an installation of a program.", so I decided to install it under C:\Program Files, which is the most obvious place to install something.
First, that was not allowed: apparently that directory has special permissions, so I have started the installer as administrator. Everything went OK (at least that's how it looked): all files/directories seem to be present.
Then, I wanted to add some extra libraries, for which I wanted to launch pip3 install ..., but 'pip3' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file..
So in the Windows explorer, I typed file:pip* and indeed, nothing found.
Having a manual look into the directory C:\Program Files\Python\Python3.9\Scripts, I did find all pip versions (the normal one, the version 3 and the version 3.9 one), but having a look at my PATH environment variable, there seems to be nothing there, referring to my justly created C:\Program Files\Python directory.
So, my questions are very simple:
I am able to change my PATH variable myself, but what are ALL the directories I need to put there?
Why on earth does the Windows find feature not show the pip* files, when I look for them using the search parameter file:pip*?
Are there any other surprises I can expect?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the frustration in my question.

Yes, you can add the python binaries to PATH manually, but there may be a simpler option. In the first screen of the installer, there is a box that says "Add Python 3.9 to PATH":
For some reason, this box is not checked by default. So if you want pip and other binaries to be added to path during installation, you can just check this box.
So if you want, you can uninstall python (again) and reinstall it, this time making sure that box is check. However, if you want to just add the binaries to PATH manually, this is how you could go about doing that.
First, you need to get the path to the folder containing your binaries. To do that, navigate to your python installation, find the folder with the pip binaries, select it, and click "Copy path"
Now the path to that folder is copied to your clipboard.
Next you need to add that path to your PATH environment variable. To do that, follow these steps:
Go to start menu and type "path". Select the option that says "Edit system environment variables".
Click "Environment Variables..."
Scroll down and find "Path". Select it and click "Edit..."
Click "New"
Press Ctrl+v to paste the path you copied earlier. Hit enter.
Press Ok on each of the three open dialogues.
The pip binaries should now be in your path! Note that this procedure will work for adding any folder to PATH.

pip.exe missing in python scripts module

correction
i edited the environment variable to path Scripts, but in the command prompt on typing the pip command it does not shows up the package installation
python\scripts location picture
While executing the pip command in the command prompt, it shows pip is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
I tried setting environment variables and all other alternative solution still I am not able to solve it. I recently noticed pip.exe file missing from python/scripts module.
Is that reason to show up this error? if it is yes, how will I install it manually?

You should add the full directory to the Scripts folder to your PATH environment variable. When you run commands in a command prompt, Windows will search through the folders listed in PATH.
Assuming you are on Windows 10:
Press the start button then search "Environment Variables"
Click the "Edit Environment Variables" option.
Click the "Environment Variables" button in the box that pops up.
Scroll down and find the PATH variable, double click it.
Click "New"
Paste in the path to the Scripts folder.
Save it and exit, then restart the terminal. Now pip will be recognized.

Finally I solved it.I used python 3.8.3 version.Not folder named "Scripts" in this version.I just delete this version and reinstall python 3.7.8 version and then pip is here :D

I know this has been solved, but another way of dealing with this is to create an empty file in the 'Scripts' folder and rename it to pip.bat. Then add the following code:
python -m pip %*
Which simply passes all the arguments of the pip command to python.

Using python with Anaconda in Windows

I have just installed Anaconda on my computer because I need to use Numpy.
Well, when I use python I for some reason have to be in the same folder as python.exe and, of course, now that I want to use Anaconda I have to be in the Anaconda3\Scripts folder where python.exe isn't. This is a nightmare, how can I use anaconda with python on a windows computer? Why does it have to be so complicated?

I think you are referring to the command-line use of python?
If you have admin priviliges on your machine you can add python to your environment variables, making it available in the console anywhere. (Sorry for different spellings, I am not on an english machine)
Press Shift+Pause ("System")
Click "Advanced System Options"
Click "Environment variables"
In the lower field with "System variables" there is a variable called PATH. Append the complete path to your python.exe without the file to that by adding a ; behind the last path in the variable and then adding your path. Do not add any spaces!
Example: C:\examplepath\;C:\Python27\

When you install anaconda on windows now, it doesn't automatically add Python or Conda to your path.
If you don’t know where your conda and/or python is, you type the following commands into your anaconda prompt (it comes when you install anaconda)
Next, you can add Python and Conda to your path by using the setx command in your command prompt.
Next close that command prompt and open a new one. You should now be able to use the python command. To do this you open a command prompt and type
python nameofPythonfile.py
Source: https://medium.com/#GalarnykMichael/install-python-on-windows-anaconda-c63c7c3d1444

To be able to do that in the command line you just have to add Python and also the Anaconda3\Scripts directory to your system path.
Here is a good tutorial on setting your path in Windows:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000549.htm