Microsoft Windows Python-3.6 PyCrypto installation error

Question

pip install pycrypto works fine with python3.5.2 but fails wiht python3.6 with the following error:

inttypes.h(26): error C2061: syntax e

Answer 1

For me this fixes it:

with Python 2, I have

sudo apt-get install python-dev  \
     build-essential libssl-dev libffi-dev \
     libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev zlib1g-dev \
     ...

with Python 3, I need

sudo apt-get install python3 python-dev python3-dev \
     build-essential libssl-dev libffi-dev \
     ...

Installing python-dev python3-dev fixes it for me!

Answer 2

• Uninstall your current Python version

• Install Python for amd64 architecture

• Follow the other accepted solutions

  • • open "x86_x64 Cross-Tools Command Prompt for VS 2017"
  • • Add the new enviroment varible for your Visual Studio MSVC install path
  • • set CL=-FI"%VCINSTALLDIR%Tools\MSVC\14.11.25503\include\stdint.h"
  • • pip install pycrypto

Answer 3

I've succeeded install pycrypto 2.6.1 on python 3.6, Windows 10, Visual Studio 2017.

1. Open "x86_x64 Cross-Tools Command Prompt for VS 2017" with administrator privilege in start menu.

2. set CL=-FI"%VCINSTALLDIR%Tools\MSVC\14.11.25503\include\stdint.h"

3. pip install pycrypto

Answer 4

For ppl who is encountering same situation as mine:

Env

• Windows 10 Enterprise v10.0.18363 Build 18363
• Python 3.8

Steps

1. Download Microsoft C++ Build Tools at https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/
2. Run above setup exe and install default components
   • MSVC v142 - VS 2019 C++ x64/x86 build tools
   • Windows 10 SDK
   • C++ CMake tools for windows
   • Testing tools core features - Build Tools
   • C++ AddressSanitizer(Experimental)
3. Reboot PC
4. Start menu > x64 Native Tools Command Prompt for VS 2019, a cmd window will pop up
5. Execute set CL=-FI"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\BuildTools\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include\stdint.h"
6. Run pip install pycrypto in a cmd window(may need admin privilege) 1

Answer 5

Use PyCryptodome instead of pycrypto. pycrypto is discontinued and is no longer actively supported. PyCryptodome exposes almost the same API as pycrypto (source).

Answer 6

Thanks to user1960422's answer.
PowerShell steps for pycrypto 2.6.1 (via simple-crypt) / Python 3.6 / Windows 10:

$env:VCINSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC"
$env:CL="-FI`"$env:VCINSTALLDIR\INCLUDE\stdint.h`""

Successful simple-crypt / pycrypto install

I also needed to follow the answer in: https://stackoverflow.com/a/24822876/8751739 to fix a winrandom module error.