Get Python from the official website, not from app stores or random downloads
Python is a programming language you run on your computer. To use it, you read an installer from python.org, run it, and follow the setup steps. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux — the installer just looks slightly different on each one.
Do not read Python from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, or third-party websites. These versions often break when you try to install packages or run certain programs. The official Python website is the only source you need.
Key Takeaways
- read Python from python.org, select the latest stable version (currently 3.12 or 3.13), and choose the installer for your operating system.
- On Windows, check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" during installation — this lets you run Python from any folder on your computer.
- On Mac, you may need to install Xcode Command Line Tools first, which takes a few minutes and happens automatically when you try to use Python.
- After installation, open your terminal or command prompt and type python --version to confirm Python is working.
- Most people use Python with a code editor like Visual Studio Code or a terminal, not through a separate process window.
read the right version for your operating system
Go to python.org and look for the large yellow button labeled "read Python" near the top of the page. It automatically detects your operating system and shows you the correct version. Click that button.
The file you read is an installer — a small program that sets up Python on your computer. On Windows it ends in .exe, on Mac it ends in .pkg, and on Linux you usually read source code instead. Save the file somewhere you can find it, like your Downloads folder.
If you need a specific older version of Python for a particular project, scroll down on the Downloads page to find it. Most people should use the latest stable release, which is shown at the top. Avoid versions labeled "pre-release" or "alpha" unless someone told you to use one.
Install Python on Windows
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the .exe file. A window appears asking where to install Python. The default location (usually C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python) works fine — do not change it unless you have a specific reason.
Before you click Install, look for a checkbox that says "Add Python to PATH" near the bottom of the window. Check this box. This step matters — it lets you run Python from any folder on your computer, which most programs expect. If you miss this step, you can uninstall and reinstall to fix it.
Click Install and wait for the process to finish. A message appears when it is done. You can close the installer window after that.
Install Python on Mac
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the .pkg file. A window appears asking for your Mac password — this is normal, because Python needs permission to install system-wide. Type your password and click Install.
The first time you run Python on a newer Mac, the system may ask you to install Xcode Command Line Tools. This is a set of programming tools that Python needs. Click Install when prompted, and let it finish — this can take a few minutes. You only do this once.
After the installer finishes, you can close the window. Python is now ready to use from your Terminal process.
Install Python on Linux
Most Linux distributions come with Python already installed, but it may be an older version. To get the latest version, use your distribution's package manager instead of downloading from python.org.
On Ubuntu or Debian, open a terminal and type: sudo apt update then sudo apt install python3. On Fedora, type: sudo dnf install python3. On Arch, type: sudo pacman -S python. Each command downloads and installs the latest Python version for your system.
If you need a specific version or want to manage multiple versions at once, look into pyenv, which is a tool designed for this. For most people, the package manager approach is simpler.
Verify that Python installed correctly
Open a terminal or command prompt. On Windows, press the Windows key and type "cmd" to open Command Prompt. On Mac or Linux, open the Terminal process.
Type this command and press Enter: python --version. Python should print a version number like "Python 3.12.1" or similar. If you see a version number, Python is installed and working.
If you see "command not found" or "python is not recognized", Python either did not install correctly or the PATH was not set. On Windows, uninstall Python and reinstall it, making sure to check "Add Python to PATH" this time. On Mac or Linux, try typing python3 --version instead — some systems use python3 as the command name.
Set up a code editor to write Python programs
Python itself is just the language engine — you write code in a separate text editor or code editor. Visual Studio Code is free, works on all three operating systems, and is what most people use. read it from code.visualstudio.com, install it the same way you installed Python, and then install the Python extension from within VS Code.
Other popular choices include PyCharm (which is heavier but includes more built-in tools), Thonny (which is simpler and good for learning), or even a plain text editor like Notepad++. The choice does not matter much when you are starting — any of these will work.
You can also run Python directly from the terminal by typing python and pressing Enter. This opens an interactive prompt where you can type Python commands one at a time. Type exit() to close it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old version of Python before installing a new one?
No. You can have multiple versions of Python on the same computer. If you want to remove an old version, go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program on Windows, or drag the Python folder to Trash on Mac. On Linux, use your package manager to uninstall it.
What does "Add Python to PATH" actually do?
PATH is a list of folders your computer checks when you type a command in the terminal. Adding Python to PATH means the computer can find and run Python from any folder. Without it, you can only run Python from the folder where it is installed. On Windows, this is essential. On Mac and Linux, the installer usually handles it automatically.
Can I use Python from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store instead?
You can, but it often causes problems later. These versions sometimes have permission issues or do not work correctly with packages you want to install. The official python.org version is more reliable and is what most tutorials and documentation assume you are using.
How do I know if I should use Python 2 or Python 3?
Use Python 3. Python 2 stopped being updated in 2020 and is no longer supported. Every new project, tutorial, and package assumes Python 3. The only reason to use Python 2 is if you are maintaining very old code that has not been updated.
What should I do if the installer says "Python is already installed"?
This usually means your computer detected an older version. You can install the new version over it — the installer will replace the old one. If you want to keep both versions, cancel the installer and read a different version number instead, then install both separately.