“python” not recognized as a command

Question

I just downloaded and installed Python 2.7.2 to my laptop and I am trying to run some sample programs. My laptop is running Windows XP.

When I open a cmd

Answer 1

Go to Control Panel / System / "Advanced" tab / Enviromental Variables

Find variable called PATH in the lower list, and edit it. Add to the end C:\Python27

Open a new cmd window and try now.

Answer 2

This is because the Python exec are not in the search path of your operating system. In windows, start CMD. Type in

setx PATH PythonPath

where PythonPath is usually C:\Python27 or C:\Python33 or C:\Users\<Your User Name>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37 depending on your Python version. After restarting the CMD, you should get see outcomes when typing

Python --version

Answer 3

Python comes with a small utility that fixes this. From the command line run:

c:\python27\tools\scripts\win_add2path.py

Make sure you close the command window (with exit or the close button) and open it again.

Answer 4

Make sure you click on Add python.exe to path during install, and select:

"Will be installed on local hard drive"

It fixed my problem, hope it helps...

Answer 5

in PowerShell enter this:

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "$env:Path;C:\Python27", "User")

Close PowerShell and then start it again to make sure Python now runs. If it doesn’t, restart may be required.

Answer 6

Just another clarification for those starting out. When you add C:\PythonXX to your path, make sure there are NO SPACES between variables e.g.

This:

SomeOtherDirectory;C:\Python27

Not this:

SomeOtherDirectory; C:\Python27

That took me a good 15 minutes of headache to figure out (I'm on windows 7, might be OS dependent). Happy coding.