How to Install Python on Windows (2026)

How to install Python on Windows in 2026: the Python install manager that python.org now recommends, the older installer, winget, uv or WSL, and PATH fixes.

For most people, install the Python install manager from the Microsoft Store or python.org, then open a terminal and run python. Python’s own Windows documentation now recommends it, and the older full installer is deprecated. If you juggle several projects, uv can manage Python versions instead. If you deploy to Linux, use WSL.

Which method should you use?

Method 1: the Python install manager

The install manager is a standalone tool that makes Python available as global commands on Windows and supports updates over time. The documentation says the Microsoft Store version and the python.org download are identical.

1. Install it from the Microsoft Store (click Install), or download the file from python.org/downloads and double-click it. In PowerShell you can run Add-AppxPackage <path to MSIX> instead.
2. Open a terminal and type python. If no runtime is installed yet, the manager installs the current latest release for you.
3. If you are asked to add a directory to your PATH when the first runtime installs, that is optional. It only matters if you want the full range of aliases such as python3.15.exe; the py command works without it.

After installation the python, py and pymanager commands are available. The commands you will use most:

python --version        # the default runtime
py list                 # installed runtimes, and which is the default
py install 3.14         # add another Python version
py -V:3.14              # launch a specific installed version
py uninstall 3.14       # remove one

Create a virtual environment for each project rather than installing packages globally: python -m venv .venv, then run .venv\Scripts\Activate. The virtual environments guide explains why.

Method 2: the full installer (deprecated)

The traditional installer is deprecated since Python 3.14 and will not be produced for 3.16 or later. Many tutorials still describe it, and it still works for Python 3.15. Run it and tick Add python.exe to PATH on the first screen so the install directory is added to your PATH, then choose Install Now and open a new terminal.

If you have an older Python installed, remove it or undo your PATH changes before installing the install manager. The documentation warns that existing installs and modified PATH entries can stop the new commands working.

Method 3: winget

If you prefer the command line, winget can install Python:

winget search Python.Python
winget install Python.Python.3.14

Check the package list with winget search first, as the available version numbers change with each release.

Method 4: uv

uv installs and switches Python versions per project, which avoids the “which Python is this?” problem:

winget install --id=astral-sh.uv -e
uv python install 3.14
uv init my-project
cd my-project
uv run python --version

Installing Python through uv doesn’t change your system python command, so it is safe alongside any other install. For how it compares with other version managers, see pyenv vs uv.

Method 5: WSL

Windows Subsystem for Linux runs a Linux distribution inside Windows. Install it with wsl --install, then install Python the Linux way inside it. Choose this if your production servers run Linux, because paths, line endings and some packages behave differently on native Windows.

How to uninstall Python on Windows

• Installed with the install manager: run py uninstall 3.14 (use the tag from py list). To remove everything it manages, run py uninstall --purge, which also cleans up the Start menu, registry entries and download caches. Runtimes that were not installed by the manager are left alone.
• Installed with the older installer: open Settings, Apps, Installed apps, find the Python entry and choose Uninstall.
• Check it worked: open a new terminal and run where python. If a path still appears, another install is on your PATH.

Fixing common problems

• “python is not recognized”, or python opens the Microsoft Store: open Manage app execution aliases from the Start menu and check that the aliases for Python (default) are enabled; if they already are, disable and re-enable them. Check that py and pymanager work, and that your PATH contains %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps. Open a new terminal after any change.
• Wrong version runs: where python lists every python on PATH in order, and the first one wins.
• pip not found: use python -m pip install <package>, which always uses the pip belonging to that Python.

Next steps

Create a virtual environment for each project. Then pick an editor: see the best Python IDEs and editors. One Windows-specific note: Python 3.15 makes UTF-8 the default for open(), which removes a class of encoding bugs on Windows.