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I was trying to download a GUI, but the terminal kept giving me this error:

Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.

I'm trying to install it using this command:

python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv
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25 Answers 25

Reset to default
422

  1. Check your Python version and be sure it is installed on your machine

  2. Check the path environment variable

  3. Go to -> "start" and type "Manage App Execution Aliases". Go to it and turn off "Python"

screenshot

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  • 51
    I don't understand why the default python installer for windows doesn't automatically do the "manage app execution alias" thing. Super frustrating, thank you for this so much! If you're having issues, definitely try out #3
    – Farley
    Commented May 27, 2021 at 4:00
  • 3
    @Farley Linux does that for you, well not really, but you do not have to worry about these pettty environment vars everytime
    – abhishah901
    Commented Jun 23, 2021 at 19:36
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    This should be the accepted answer. Except note that this error appears after Python has been uninstalled from the Microsoft store. You then have to install Python from Python.org and then add that Python.org binary to the PATH as described in the accepted answer.
    – CodeMed
    Commented Aug 12, 2021 at 19:34
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    "Manage App Execution Aliases" worked for me but I had to first terminate all python.exe processes. Before I did that, it just kept ignoring my settings.
    – kichik
    Commented Mar 4, 2022 at 19:11
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    For me this didn't work until I made sure that the Python path entries were ABOVE the entry for the microsoft windows apps. Then it worked fine.
    – Alex
    Commented May 10, 2022 at 14:29
128

I was having the same issue and I fixed it by using the below method.

  1. Copy two paths of Python
%AppData%\Programs\Python\Python311
%AppData%\Programs\Python\Python311\Scripts

These are the paths where your Python interpreter is installed. Now add this path into your environmental variable. Put this path into System variable, not in user variable. I was using user variable, so I was facing the issue.

Screenshot for Environment Variables window

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  • 3
    @Maninder - Thanks worked for me. BTW you can put Python Path in User's variable as well, to setup Python for each user. And only Scripts path should go to System Variables
    – Laxmikant Ratnaparkhi
    Commented Jun 15, 2021 at 3:34
  • 2
    This works, don't forget to restart your machine after putting in the paths My problem was when I type "Python" in my terminal it goes straight to microsoft store. Thank you!
    – kriscondev
    Commented Sep 4, 2022 at 7:38
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    it's imp to use system variables otherwise it won't work
    – Saad Abbasi
    Commented Oct 17, 2022 at 10:54
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    Make sure you find the actual path to Python.exe and add that folder to the path. As I am using version 3.10.8 - My path was C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python310
    – code-it
    Commented Oct 20, 2022 at 18:50
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    sr, this not work on windows11-latest
    – nguyenmanh02123221
    Commented Aug 21, 2024 at 7:45
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I have a solution for you. Make sure you check the path mark during installation. Then you need to go to Manage App Execution Aliases.

Simply go to your search bar and search for Manage App Execution Aliases. You will find the attached screen and you need to turn off App Installers as you see on the screen. Also, see the path,,, follow Maninder's answer.

enter image description here

Then you are good to go! :)

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  • 2
    Yeah, this is the solution to the problem, which is a real problem and there is no need for the snarkiness of the comments at the OP when he posted his question.
    – Alex. S.
    Commented Oct 8, 2021 at 3:29
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    I did that and now ti says this:'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
    – Yaakov
    Commented Oct 18, 2021 at 9:40
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    @Yaakov How did you solve it? I am stuck at this stage.
    – Ishwara Bhat
    Commented Dec 6, 2021 at 8:35
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    @IshwaraBhat I've encountered this and what worked for me is by just restarting my machine.
    – Mike Diente
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 17:57
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    @MikeDiente, Thanks. Later I realized that I had multiple python versions (from Anaconda and other installations). The manage extensions tab had multiple versions. Also system environment variables. Playing around with these solved my problem.
    – Ishwara Bhat
    Commented Dec 29, 2021 at 2:42
67

I had the same issue. In Windows CMD, only: py --version, works.

I tried adding the path on System variables, and it didn't work. If you are using PyCharm as I do, try to run all commands from the IDE's terminal. It usually is on the side bar where the Run and the Console is. If it is not, go to: menu View → Tool Windows → Terminal. It worked just fine for me.

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  • Strange - Python 3.8 is installed but the version shows as 3.10. Might be associated with PyCharm. With PyCharm, I see "cannot open local terminal" Switching to command prompt works though. Nice tip here Peter Strato for what it's worth. Thanks
    – Jamie
    Commented Oct 19, 2022 at 15:38
32

You need to download Python from https://python.org. When in the installation, be sure to check the option that adds Python to PATH.

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  • 23
    This is not useful and can be misleading. E.g. I'm running PySpark in Jupyter. Clearly I have Python installed. Yet I still get the error.
    – Florin Andrei
    Commented Jun 18, 2021 at 1:19
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    @FlorinAndrei, I solved this issue by restarting the PC / Laptop after installation of python
    – Mohamed Raza
    Commented Aug 12, 2021 at 11:54
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    I am sure that I have python installed, but I get this error. so this isn't a good recommendation for all.
    – Niloofar Adelkhani
    Commented Sep 19, 2021 at 23:34
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    after installing the python restarting the PC worked for me
    – Ahmad Ayyaz
    Commented Oct 3, 2021 at 8:18
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    I absolutely have python installed. I get this error.
    – Mark Mayo
    Commented Nov 17, 2022 at 6:27
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I haven't gotten this error before and have been using Python a long time, and then suddenly it showed up. I think that it is a result of a Windows update designed to steer you to their store.

In any case: to remedy the problem, go to Settings → app execution aliases → and turn "off" Python. (What they tell you to do, in other words). This should resolve the problem.

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13

I solved this problem for Visual Studio Code with just writing "python" in the console:

python

After that, Microsoft Store opens automatically with the Python app:

Enter image description here

And I just click Get.

And it all work!

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  • 1
    It is not entirely clear what opens what. Can you clarify? (But without "Edit:", "Update:", or similar - the answer should appear as if it was written today.)
    – Peter Mortensen
    Commented Aug 16, 2022 at 23:45
  • To add this window Python to PYcharm Go to Add New Interpreter -> Add local Interpreter -> System Interpreter. You will see the Python installed by the Windows Store, Select it and it is Done.
    – Rishi Raj Tandon
    Commented Jul 13, 2024 at 8:19
  • That was helpful, thanks a lot. It happens suddenly I don't know why while Iam using python version 3.12.4.
    – Noha Salah
    Commented Jul 18, 2024 at 9:39
9

There could be an alias of Python, such as: "py", or "python3". For me, it was solved just by typing "py".

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6

All the previous answers are correct, but in my case, I was getting this, because I was not passing the version...

The fix is passing the version:

py.exe -3 your_program
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To check in Windows

py --version

Or restart your PC first, and then use this command again.

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5

If you have installed Python successfully with add python path, ticked on, and have added

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts

to the path into System variables and have turned off the "aliases" and they all didn't work, you can simply use python instead of python3 in your cmd command.

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  • 4
    Also using py instead of python3 works too.
    – HGamble
    Commented Aug 24, 2021 at 20:55
  • Doesn't the path (C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39) depend on the particular version of Windows and how it is configured? Isn't it expressed in (another) environment variable?
    – Peter Mortensen
    Commented Sep 10, 2021 at 18:42
  • yes but it seems he has the same configuration and for the sake of helping him I ignored the general python path, and one the facts is that I just know 2 ways of these configurations because the conda and other package managers also modify the python paths differently.
    – Farhang Amaji
    Commented Sep 11, 2021 at 11:14
  • To set a path: javatpoint.com/how-to-set-python-path
    – DanielBell99
    Commented Jun 16, 2022 at 15:22
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Check the Aliases for App Execution in Windows. Search for Alias App in your Windows toolbar to find the UI for this. Try turning off anything Python related.

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  • Quick note here. This setting needed redoing after a reboot.
    – Jamie
    Commented Oct 19, 2022 at 15:32
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The same thing happened to me even after trying all the above-mentioned steps. I just restart my system and it was working fine. Do it and if still doesn't fix the issue then make sure you have checked "add python ( any version ) to PATH" before installing Python.

Check the option that has to be selected before installing

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  • 1
    No need to do this long process you just need to go "App Execution Aliases" just disable app installer on python.
    – Kishan Bheemajiyani
    Commented Feb 3, 2022 at 21:56
3

I faced the same error while using Anaconda and trying to link the Python executable path in the command prompt.

It got rectified by going to Settings → App execution aliases → and turning "off" Python. Then again I had to set the path for Python in Anaconda and was successful in executing "python --version" command.

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Try adding the following to your "Path" environment variable:

C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37\Scripts

Replace Python37 with your own version.

Editing Path in the Environment Variables

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If you're on Windows, you may want to use the Python installer, in Windows Marketplace.

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  • 4
    Only do that if you intend to get a quick fix. In fact you shouldn't install from the market place in most cases for development. You should look into installing through pyenv and adding those version to your PATH. instead.
    – thoroc
    Commented May 26, 2021 at 14:49
  • Of all the answers above, I have python 3 installed on my system, plus i have it on my system variables, turning it off in settings only makes CMD not recognize it. But your comment about installing from the store actually works for me. Thank you!!!!!
    – Sebastian
    Commented Jul 24, 2021 at 23:17
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None of the answers here worked for me. I did this and the error went away.

For Windows 11 which I was using, I reran the python-3.10.5-amd64.exe file from my downloads directory and then chose to modify the installation.

Then I followed these easy steps.

  1. Make sure the PIP component is checked before proceeding to install.

  2. Then check 'Add Python to environment variables' if it's not checked already.

  3. Proceed to Install.

    At this point, your error will be solved

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2

To sincerely resolve this issue, do the following:

  1. Uninstall the Python instance and reinstall it. Note: Make sure you check "Add variable PATH".

  2. On the command line, type:

     python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools virtualenv
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I was also facing this issue after installing Python, while running the command python --version in the command prompt. Thee error was:

Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Manage App Execution Aliases.

So, I too added the path in environment variables as shown, and it worked:

Enter image description here

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1

I got this issue when I used Visual Studio Code as the IDE, and Anaconda as my Python compiler. And you don't need to close the "app alias" in settings, but copy your python.exe to python3.exe in your Anaconda folder.

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  • Re "copy your python.exe to python3.exe": What about updates?
    – Peter Mortensen
    Commented Sep 10, 2021 at 18:46
  • @PeterMortensen my default python is 3.6, so i copy "python.exe" file, and paste it in same folder. and rename the copy to "python3.exe".
    – Ray
    Commented Oct 14, 2021 at 3:55
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That happened to me. So, to fix it, you have to follow the following steps:

  1. Uninstall the Python version you already installed.
  2. Go ahead and open the installation file to reinstall it again.
  3. Before hitting Install Now, make sure to tick the box in front of Add Python to path.
  4. Go ahead and complete the installation procedure as usual. Steps for installing Python
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The problem is more subtle than it seems.

For example, if you are using Visual Studio Code on the bottom left, you should see Python X.X.X xx-bit (the X is the version).

If you click in there you will see where the IDE is getting the python.exe from.

Locate that folder into your file explorer and then just follow the answer that is saying to change the environments variables.

So copy the path where python.exe is and add it to the Path variable and do the same where the Script folder is (it is in the same directory where the python.exe is).

Then of course make sure your IDE is using the right Python.

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If none of the previous answers are working, you can check if you have the Python executable in your program files.

Go to C:\Program Files and check if you have the Python application. If not, go to the python download website here and download the .exe file.

While installing you must select "Custom install" and select the location as C:/Program Files.

Install it and it should work now from anywhere. This worked for me!

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  • Doesn't the path (C:\Program Files) depend on the particular version of Windows and how it is configured? Isn't it expressed in (another) environment variable?
    – Peter Mortensen
    Commented Sep 10, 2021 at 18:41
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If you already have the Python executable on your machine and you are getting this error in Windows 10, search for the Python executable and copy its path then copy the path in system variables. It worked for me.

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I see some resolutions people provided here are a bit complicated.

Here is the simpler way to install pip on Windows or whatever OS. Here is an example for Windows.

  1. go to https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py, right-click (or Ctrl + S), and choose the Save as option, and save it in the location you want to execute to file.

  2. assume you saved it in the c/Users/Documents/get-pip.py file, and then just redirect to that file path.

  3. in the c/Users/Documents/, run python get-pip.py

  4. verify the installed pip using pip --version

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