Python Download – How To Install Python [Easy Steps]

Python is one of the most popular programming languages, mainly known for its simplicity and versatility. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, installing Python is the first step to start coding. It is widely used for web development, data science, automation, and many other applications. The easy-to-read syntax and availability of many libraries make Python one of the best choices for Programmers all around the globe. Python supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux (Ubuntu), and macOS, making it easy to set up on any system. In this article, you will learn, in detail, the step-by-step installation process of Python on different operating systems.

Table of Contents:

• Installing Python on Windows
• Installing Python with Anaconda and Jupyter Notebook on Windows
  • Steps to install and use Anaconda
  • Steps to Launch Jupyter Notebook
• Installing Python in Linux
  • Installing Python using Package Managers
  • Installing Python Using Version Managers
• Installing Python on Ubuntu
  • Using APT Installers
  • Using Repository
• Installing Python on MacOS
  • Installing Python with Homebrew
  • Install Python from the Official Website
• Python First Program execution
  • Interactive Mode
  • Script Mode
  • Using IDE
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Download Python for Windows, macOS, and Linux

To download the latest version of Python, you can go to the official website and select your operating system for which you want to download the installer file.

Now, once the download is complete, we’ll learn about the installation process by going through the step-by-step instructions given below:

How to Install Python on Windows

Installing Python on Windows is a straightforward and beginner-friendly process. By following a few simple steps, you can set up Python on your Windows system and begin coding.

For the Windows operating system, the installation process is as follows:

Step 1: Double-click the downloaded executable software and click ‘Run’.

Step 2: A pop-up window, Python Version 3.13.2 (32-bit) Setup, will appear. In this window,  ensure that you check the boxes for both ‘Install launcher for all users (recommended)’ and ‘Add Python 3.13.2 to PATH’ at the bottom.

Step 3: Now, a User Account Control pop-up window will appear, asking, ‘Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to your device?’ Click on ‘Yes’.

Step 4: Now, a new ‘Python 3.7.0 (32-bit) Setup’ pop-up window will appear with a ‘Setup Progress’ message and a progress bar. During the installation, a window will show various components being installed, and the progress bar will move toward completion. Once finished, a new ‘Python 3.7.0 (32-bit) Setup’ pop-up window will appear with a ‘Setup was successful’ message.

Step 5: Once the installation is complete, click on the ‘Close’ button. Python is now successfully installed on your system.

Step 6: Now, you can verify the installation. There are two ways to check if Python has been installed successfully.

Method 1: Using the Python Interpreter

Step 1: Navigate to the directory:

<br>
C:\Users\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313<br>

or to whatever directory Python was installed (see Step 3 of the installation process)

Step 2: Double-click on the icon/file Python.exe

The following pop-up window will appear:

Inside the window, on the first line, you will get the text ‘Python 3.13.2…’. This line also indicates whether you have a 64-bit version of Python installed, identified by ‘64-bit’. A 64-bit installation can handle larger amounts of memory and more demanding computational tasks.

Step 3: Run the test command

After the window opens, you can print any statement in Python.exe, and when the statement is printed, this specifies that Python has been successfully installed.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt (cmd)

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the command prompt.

Step 2: Check Python Version

Type the following command:

python --version

You can use any text editor to write a Python script, and you just have to save it with the .py extension. However, using a Python IDE(Integrated Development Environment) can make developers’ lives a lot easier. IDEs provide useful features like code hinting, syntax highlighting and checking, file explorers, and more, to simplify application development.

Some of the top Python IDEs include PyCharm, Visual Studio, IDLE, Spyder, Rodeo, and Jupyter Notebook.

How to Install Python with Anaconda and Jupyter Notebook on Windows

Anaconda makes it easy to manage Python and its libraries, especially for data science. Jupyter Notebook lets you write and run code interactively within a web browser. It provides a user-friendly, interactive Data Science environment that supports multiple programming languages and functions not only as an IDE but also as a presentation or educational tool. This tool is perfect for analyzing large datasets and creating different types of charts.

Steps to Install and Use Anaconda

Step 1: To install Anaconda Python, just go to the official website, select the appropriate version, and then click on ‘Download’.

Step 2: Execute the .exe file. The ‘Install Anaconda3’ pop-up window will appear. Here, click on the next button.

Select ‘Just me’ only, and then click on ‘Continue’, then click ‘Next’ to move forward to the next step of installation.

Step 3: Next, the Anaconda setup window will appear. Here, select ‘All Users’ and click on ‘Next’.

Step 4: An advanced installation window will appear. Select ‘Add Anaconda to my PATH environment variable’ and click on ‘Install’, and the final installation is done as shown below.

Steps to Launch Jupyter Notebook

Now that you have successfully installed Python and Anaconda, let’s set up Jupyter Notebook.

Step 1: To launch Jupyter Notebook from the command line, simply open the Anaconda Windows Command Prompt. Then, type ‘Jupyter Notebook’ and press Enter.

A Jupyter Notebook dashboard will open on your default browser

Step 2: Here, click on New→ then select Python 3

Step 3: A new Python kernel will be opened, and you will be ready to write a new program. You can rename the notebook file by clicking on ‘Untitled34’.

Running a Simple Program in Python

With Python and Jupyter Notebook installed and running, you can now write your first Python program.

Simply launch the Jupyter Notebook kernel, and in the code line, type print a message.

Then click on Run to execute the program.

Here, a single-line greeting message is printed.

How to Install Python on Linux

Python is a powerful and versatile programming language widely used in Linux for development, automation, and scripting. It is easy to install and set up, making it the most popular choice for beginners as well as professionals.

There are two ways to install Python on Linux:

1. Installing Python using Package Managers

Steps to Install Python on Linux:

Most Linux distributions come with a package manager that allows you to install Python easily. You can use commands like apt, dnf, or yum, depending on which Linux version you have.

Step 1: First, you have to navigate to the Python download site with your browser. Here, you will see different operating systems to choose from; select ‘Linux/UNIX’

Step 2: Now, you will be navigated to the ‘Python Source Releases’ page. Here, click on the appropriate link for your version of Linux:

• Python 3.7.2 compressed source tarball (any version of Linux)
• Python 3.7.2 gzipped source tarball (better compression and faster download)

Step 3: A pop-up will appear asking whether you want to open or save the file; choose Save. Python source files will begin downloading. Be patient, source files require a minute or two to download.

Step 4: Now, double-click on the downloaded file. This will open the Archive Manager window.  After the files are extracted, you will see the Python 3.3.4 folder in the Archive Manager window. Again, double-click on the Python 3.3.4 folder. Here, the Archive Manager extracts the files to the Python 3.3.4 subfolder within your home directory.

Step 5: Now, open a copy of Terminal. If you have never built any software on your system before, then you must install essential build tools, like SQLite and bzip2. Otherwise, the Python installation will fail. If you have already installed them, the following steps can be skipped, and you can move to Step 9 to begin working with Python immediately.

Step 6: Now, type ‘sudo apt-get install build-essential’ in the Terminal and press Enter. Here, Linux installs the Build Essential support required to build packages.

Step 7: Now, type ‘sudo apt-get install libsqlite3-dev’ in the Terminal and press Enter. Here, Linux installs the SQLite support required by Python for database manipulation.

Step 8: Type ‘sudo apt-get install libbz2-dev’ and press Enter. Linux will install the bzip2 support required by Python for working with archives.

Step 9: Type CD Python 3.3.4 in the Terminal window and press Enter. Here, the terminal changes directories to the Python 3.3.4 folder on your system.

Step 10: Type ./configure and press Enter. This script begins by checking the system’s build type and then performs a series of tasks based on the system you’re using. This process can require a few minutes because there is a large list of items to check.

Step 11: Then type make and press Enter. Here, Linux executes the make script to create the Python application software. The make process can require up to 1 minute, depending on the processing speed of your system.

Step 12: Now, type sudo make altinstall and press Enter. Here, the system may ask for your administrator password. Type the password and press Enter. At this point, several tasks take place as the system installs Python on your system.

Now, your Python is up and running on Linux. You can execute your first program!

2. Installing Python Using Version Managers

Version managers allow you to install and switch between multiple Python versions easily. Tools like pyenv and Conda help manage Python installations without interfering with system files.

Steps to Install Python on Linux using Version Managers:

Step 1: Go to the official pyenv or Conda website and download the latest version for Linux.

Step 2: Save the file and extract it to your home folder.

Step 3: Open the Terminal and navigate to the extracted folder.

Step 4: Run the setup script and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 5: Restart the Terminal to apply the changes.

Step 6: Install your preferred Python version using the version manager.

Step 7: Set the installed Python version as the default and verify the installation.

You have now successfully installed Python and are managing it with a version manager. You can easily switch between different Python versions as required!

Installing Python on Ubuntu

Python comes pre-installed in all versions of Ubuntu that come after Ubuntu 14.04, as the Linux distributions themselves use Python extensively for their purposes. There are two ways to check and upgrade the Python versions on Ubuntu.

1. Using APT Installers

This method uses the default APT package manager to install or upgrade Python easily. It is the simplest and most recommended option for most users.

Step 1: Check if Python is Already Installed

To check if the latest version of Python is installed on your Ubuntu system, type the following command in the terminal:

python3 -v<br>
or<br>
python3 --version

Step 2: Check Installed Python Versions

To check if you have several versions installed on your Ubuntu, type the following command in your Ubuntu terminal:

apt list --installed | grep python

Step 3: Access Python 2

To access Python 2 in Ubuntu, just type the following command in the Ubuntu terminal:

python

Step 4: Access Python 3

To access Python 3 in Ubuntu, type the following command in the Ubuntu terminal:

python3

Step 5: Install Python (If Not Installed)

If by any chance, your Ubuntu system does not have Python installed, or you are using an older version of Ubuntu, then you can use the command mentioned below to install it.

sudo apt-get install python3

This command will install the latest version of Python in your Ubuntu system. You can check the version using the command mentioned above.

Step 6: Upgrade Python to the Latest Version

In case you have Python already installed, but it’s not the latest version, then you can upgrade your Python package using the command mentioned below.

sudo apt-get upgrade python3

2. Using Repository

This method allows you to install different or newer versions of Python by adding an external repository. It is useful when you need a specific Python version not available in the default APT package manager.

Python comes pre-installed in Ubuntu versions after 14.04, but if you need a different version, you can install it using a repository.

Step 1: Update Package List

First, update the package list to ensure everything is up to date.

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Software Properties

This package helps in managing additional repositories.

sudo apt install software-properties-common

Step 3: Add the Python Repository

The Deadsnakes PPA repository provides updated Python versions. Add it using:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

Press Enter if there is a pop-up.

Step 4: Update the Package List Again

After adding the repository, update the package list.

sudo apt update

Step 5: Install Python

Now, install the required Python version.

sudo apt install python3.x

(Replace x with the version number, e.g., python3.10)

Step 6: Check the Installed Version

Verify that Python is installed successfully.

python3 --version

Installing Python on MacOS

Python is a powerful and flexible programming language commonly used on macOS for development, automation, and scripting. It is easy to install and set up, which makes it one of the most popular choices.

There are two ways to install Python on macOS:

1. Installing Python with Homebrew

To install Python on macOS, first, you have to install Xcode, then Homebrew has to be installed, and then Python.

Step 1: Install Xcode

You require Xcode to install Homebrew and Python. You can download Xcode from the App Store.

After downloading and installing Xcode from the App Store, you have to open the terminal and type the following command to install Xcode Command Line tools:

Step 2: Install Homebrew

Homebrew is a package manager for macOS. It allows you to install different versions of Python without affecting the Python version already present in the system. Now, go to Install Homebrew. From here, follow the steps to install Homebrew. Once done, paste this line into a terminal:

<br>
/usr/bin/ruby -e “$(curl -fsSL https://abc.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)”<br>

Now Homebrew is installed.

Step 3: Install Python

Once Homebrew is installed, run the following command in the terminal to install Python.

I<br>
brew install python<br>
# Install latest python 3.x (for specific version)<br>
brew install python3

Now, Python is installed and running on macOS. You are ready to execute your first program.

2. Install Python from the Official Website

If there is any issue while downloading Python using Homebrew, you can directly download Python from the official website.

Step 1: Check the Current Python Version

Open Terminal and run:

python --version

If Python 2.x is installed, check if Python 3 is available:

python3 --version8

If Python 3 is missing or outdated, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Visit the Official Python Website

Go to python.org and check the latest available version.

Step 3: Download the latest macOS Installer

Click Download Python 3.13.2, which is currently the latest version. A .pkg file will be downloaded.

Step 4: Run the Installer

Locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder. Double-click it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 5: Verify Python and IDLE

After installation, you can check by opening the Python folder and clicking on IDLE, which comes with Python, to confirm that it is installed correctly.

IDLE is an independent development environment that comes built-in with Python. Once you open the IDLE, you can see the Python shell as shown below:

You can check if the Python IDLE is working correctly by printing a message.

Press Enter, and if the message is printed in the next line, then the Python IDLE is working properly.

Step 6: Verify Installation using the Terminal

Open Terminal and run:

python3 --version

python3 --version

If the Python version appears in the terminal, it confirms that Python is successfully installed on macOS.

Python First Program Execution

Python programs can execute in three different modes, which are –

• Interactive Mode
• Script Mode
• Using IDE

Interactive Mode

Step 1: You can enter Python in the command prompt and start working with Python.

Type Python and press Enter, and the Command Prompt will appear as below:

Now, execute your Python programs as follows:

Script Mode

You can write Python programs in a separate file using any editor on your OS via this mode:

Step 1: Open a notepad and write a simple Python code.

Step 2: Save the notepad file with ‘.py’ as the suffix.

Step 3: Run this file in the command prompt by typing Python file_name.py

Using IDE

You can execute the Python program in the graphical user interface. Open Python as follows:

Click on Start > All Programs > Python > IDLE (Python GUI)

Conclusion

Installing Python is an important process, whether you are using Windows, macOS, or Linux. You can install it through the official website, package managers, or version managers based on your system and needs. For Windows, users can use the standard installer or Anaconda, while Linux users can use APT, repositories, or version managers. On macOS, Homebrew is an easy method to install Python. With Python installed, you can start coding and enhance your skills in automation, data science, artificial Intelligence, and many more applications.

Further, check out our Python certification course and get ready to excel in your career with our Basic Python interview questions prepared by experts.