Python & Windows: Where is the python launcher?
Question:
I’m trying to use different versions of python on win7, and I was told that I can use the python laucher.
I find the docs for it: https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#launcher
But I don’t know where is it. Someone say its called py.exe, but there is no file with this name on my computer.
I installed python 3.4.3 with Anaconda, https://store.continuum.io/cshop/anaconda/, comes with Scipy
===========
UPDATE:
Since there is no python launcer in Anacoda, how can I re-install it? Or if there is better way of using different version on Win7?
Answers:
It should be in the root directory of Python 3.3 installs and higher. It is not available for Python2.
Go to C:PythonXX and you should find py.exe for your version.
In Command Prompt or your favorite shell (like Cygwin), run:
py -3.3 -m path/to/myscript.py
However, this only works if you have a 3.3 or higher installed.
EDIT: Anaconda does not come with Python launcher. It is only available for an ActiveState, standard, or probably many other installs.
EDIT2: Here are two brand-new, Python 3.4 installs of ActiveState Python and Anaconda Python, screenshotted. Notice how Anaconda Python does not include py.exe and a lot of other (non-essential) executables?
EDIT3: After some “difficult” testing, just set anaconda as your default install for Python3.4 and grab the py.exe from another install. That is all. So you can install Python3.4 from another source, uninstall it, and save the py.exe, make sure it is in the system path, and the python launcher is fully installed.
EDIT4: Actually there’s also a standalone installer available here:
https://bitbucket.org/vinay.sajip/pylauncher/downloads
It looks like the python executable is part of the conda command if you’re using Anaconda, according to their website. According to Alexander Huszagh (see his answer), the python launcher doesn’t come with Anaconda python.
If installing python from python.org’s downloads and you select "[x] install pylauncher [x] install for all users", py.exe is installed in C:Windowspy.exe (%SystemRoot%py.exe).
I think if you don’t install for all users, then it’s in the python install root.
If you are able to run py from cmd.exe, then you can find out where it is with where py.exe.
I first tried everything Alexander Huszagh has written. But none of it helped.
It took me a really long time to find the Python Launcher. I had accidentally changed how to open .py-files. And once you change it, you can’t do right mouse click “Edit with IDLE” anymore. I eventually found them in the C:Windows directory named py.exe.
If NOT installed for ALL users, (python 3.11.3) it goes to:
C:UsersXXXXAppDataLocalProgramsPythonLauncherpy.exe
I’m trying to use different versions of python on win7, and I was told that I can use the python laucher.
I find the docs for it: https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#launcher
But I don’t know where is it. Someone say its called py.exe, but there is no file with this name on my computer.
I installed python 3.4.3 with Anaconda, https://store.continuum.io/cshop/anaconda/, comes with Scipy
===========
UPDATE:
Since there is no python launcer in Anacoda, how can I re-install it? Or if there is better way of using different version on Win7?
It should be in the root directory of Python 3.3 installs and higher. It is not available for Python2.
Go to C:PythonXX and you should find py.exe for your version.
In Command Prompt or your favorite shell (like Cygwin), run:
py -3.3 -m path/to/myscript.py
However, this only works if you have a 3.3 or higher installed.
EDIT: Anaconda does not come with Python launcher. It is only available for an ActiveState, standard, or probably many other installs.
EDIT2: Here are two brand-new, Python 3.4 installs of ActiveState Python and Anaconda Python, screenshotted. Notice how Anaconda Python does not include py.exe and a lot of other (non-essential) executables?
EDIT3: After some “difficult” testing, just set anaconda as your default install for Python3.4 and grab the py.exe from another install. That is all. So you can install Python3.4 from another source, uninstall it, and save the py.exe, make sure it is in the system path, and the python launcher is fully installed.
EDIT4: Actually there’s also a standalone installer available here:
https://bitbucket.org/vinay.sajip/pylauncher/downloads
It looks like the python executable is part of the conda command if you’re using Anaconda, according to their website. According to Alexander Huszagh (see his answer), the python launcher doesn’t come with Anaconda python.
If installing python from python.org’s downloads and you select "[x] install pylauncher [x] install for all users", py.exe is installed in C:Windowspy.exe (%SystemRoot%py.exe).
I think if you don’t install for all users, then it’s in the python install root.
If you are able to run py from cmd.exe, then you can find out where it is with where py.exe.
I first tried everything Alexander Huszagh has written. But none of it helped.
It took me a really long time to find the Python Launcher. I had accidentally changed how to open .py-files. And once you change it, you can’t do right mouse click “Edit with IDLE” anymore. I eventually found them in the C:Windows directory named py.exe.
If NOT installed for ALL users, (python 3.11.3) it goes to:
C:UsersXXXXAppDataLocalProgramsPythonLauncherpy.exe