Install Python on Windows, macOS, Linux: Beginner Guide

Install Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux: Complete Beginner Setup Guide

Quick Answer

Install Python from the official Python website, then verify it from your terminal before writing code.

Last verified: June 9, 2026.

Python.org currently lists Python 3.14.5 as the latest stable release, released May 10, 2026. For most beginners, install the latest stable version. If a package or course does not support Python 3.14 yet, use Python 3.13 in a separate virtual environment.

Official Links

• Python downloads: https://www.python.org/downloads/
• Python on Windows docs: https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html
• Python on macOS docs: https://docs.python.org/3/using/mac.html
• Python on Unix/Linux docs: https://docs.python.org/3/using/unix.html
• Python documentation: https://docs.python.org/3/
• Homebrew: https://brew.sh/

What You Will Learn

By the end, you should be able to:

• install Python on Windows
• install Python on macOS
• install Python on Linux
• check whether Python is available from the terminal
• understand python, python3, and py
• run your first .py file
• avoid the most common beginner setup mistakes

Before You Install

Use official sources whenever possible.

Recommended beginner choice:

Python 3.14.5 or the latest stable Python 3 release from python.org

Use Python 3.13 only if:

• a package fails on Python 3.14
• your class or company specifically asks for 3.13
• your operating system cannot run the newest installer

Do not install Python 2. Python 2 is obsolete.

Install Python On Windows

Go to:

https://www.python.org/downloads/

For Python 3.14 and newer, Python's Windows documentation focuses on the Python Install Manager. It makes python, py, and pymanager available and can manage multiple Python versions.

Beginner steps:

1. Download Python from python.org.
2. Run the installer or install manager package.
3. Accept the default user install unless you have an admin-managed machine.
4. Finish installation.
5. Close and reopen PowerShell.

Open PowerShell and check:

python --version
py --version
py list

Expected output should look similar to:

Python 3.14.5

If you want a specific Python version through the install manager:

py install 3.14
py -V:3.14 --version

Check where Windows finds Python:

where.exe python
where.exe py

If python opens the Microsoft Store instead of Python, disable Windows App Execution Aliases:

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Search for App execution aliases.
3. Turn off aliases for python.exe and python3.exe if they point to the Store.
4. Close and reopen PowerShell.
5. Run python --version again.

Install Python On macOS

Go to:

https://www.python.org/downloads/

Download the macOS installer and run it.

If the download page offers separate builds:

• choose Apple Silicon or arm64 for M1, M2, M3, M4, and newer Apple chips
• choose Intel or x86_64 for older Intel Macs
• choose universal2 if offered, because it works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

After installation, open Terminal and check:

python3 --version
python3 -m pip --version
which python3
echo $PATH

Expected output should show Python 3.14.5 or another current Python 3 version.

On macOS, python3 is usually the reliable command. The plain python command may be missing or may point somewhere else. That is normal.

If you already use Homebrew, you may install Python with:

brew install python

Then check:

python3 --version
which python3

Do not delete or replace macOS system Python manually. Install your own Python separately and use virtual environments per project.

Update Or Uninstall Python Later

Windows:

• Install a newer Python from python.org or with the Python Install Manager.
• Keep old versions only if a project needs them.
• Use py list to see installed Python versions.
• Use Windows Settings -> Apps to uninstall versions you no longer need.

macOS:

• If you installed from python.org, install the newer python.org package when needed.
• If you installed with Homebrew, update Homebrew first, then upgrade Python.

brew update
brew upgrade python

If you uninstall, do not remove the macOS system Python folders manually. Remove only the Python version you installed.

Install Python On Linux

Most Linux systems already include Python because system tools depend on it.

Check:

python3 --version
which python3

On Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

On Fedora:

sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

Do not overwrite the system Python. If you need the newest Python release, use uv, pyenv, or a trusted package source.

Command Cheat Sheet

Use this table when you are unsure which command to type.

Prefer python -m pip, python3 -m pip, or py -m pip over plain pip. This installs packages into the Python version you are actually using.

Run Your First Python Script

Create a folder named python-setup-test.

Windows PowerShell:

mkdir python-setup-test
cd python-setup-test
notepad hello.py

macOS or Linux:

mkdir python-setup-test
cd python-setup-test
nano hello.py

Add this code:

print("Python is working")
print(2 + 3)

Run it.

Windows:

python hello.py

If that fails but py works:

py hello.py

macOS or Linux:

python3 hello.py

Expected output:

Python is working
5

Common Errors And Fixes

python is not recognized on Windows

Close and reopen PowerShell first.

Then try:

py --version
where.exe python
where.exe py

If py works, Python is installed. Fix PATH later or continue using py.

python opens the Microsoft Store

Disable App Execution Aliases for python.exe and python3.exe, then reopen PowerShell.

python3: command not found on macOS

Install Python from python.org or Homebrew, then open a new Terminal window.

Check:

which python3
echo $PATH

pip is not recognized

Do not start with plain pip.

Use:

py -m pip --version

or:

python3 -m pip --version

FAQ

Should I install Python from python.org or the Microsoft Store?

Use python.org for the clearest learning path. The Microsoft Store can work, but beginners often hit alias confusion when python opens the Store instead of the installed interpreter.

Should I use python or python3?

On Windows, use python or py. On macOS and Linux, use python3.

Do I need admin rights?

Usually no. A per-user install is enough for learning. Avoid system-wide installs unless your machine is managed by an administrator.

Should I install Anaconda now?

Not for this beginner setup series. Learn normal Python, venv, pip, and uv first. Add Anaconda later only if your course or data science workflow requires it.

Do I need to configure PATH manually?

Often no, but you must know how to check it. The next guide explains PATH in detail.

Final Checklist

Your setup is ready when these work.

Windows:

python --version
py --version
py list
py -m pip --version
where.exe python
where.exe py

macOS:

python3 --version
python3 -m pip --version
which python3
echo $PATH

Linux:

python3 --version
python3 -m pip --version
which python3

Final rule: install Python once, verify it from the terminal, then use one virtual environment per project.