Install Python 3.12 on Windows 11 with the full installer from python.org. For most users, the Windows installer (64-bit) is the right download. During setup, enable Add python.exe to PATH, then verify the installation from PowerShell or Command Prompt.
This guide uses the traditional Python installer rather than the Microsoft Store package because it gives you a predictable installation folder, the Python Launcher, and fewer surprises when tools need to create files or virtual environments.
Before you install Python 3.12
Python 3.12 runs on Windows 11. Close any terminal windows that are open before installation; terminals opened before Python was added to PATH may not see the new commands.
Check whether Python is already installed by opening Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt and running:
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python --version
py --version
where python
where pyAn existing Python installation does not necessarily need to be removed. Windows can have several Python versions installed at once, but you should use the Python Launcher or a virtual environment when you need a specific version.
1. Download the Python 3.12 installer
- Open the official Python Windows downloads page.
- Find the Python 3.12 release you need. If the page lists several 3.12 releases, choose the newest 3.12.x release available.
- Download Windows installer (64-bit) for a normal Windows 11 PC.
Use Windows installer (32-bit) only if you specifically run 32-bit Windows or need a 32-bit Python environment. The Windows embeddable package is intended for application embedding, not a normal developer installation.
If you are unsure which architecture your PC uses, open Settings → System → About and check System type. Most Windows 11 systems use 64-bit processors and Windows.
2. Run the installer
- Open the downloaded
.exefile. It will usually be in your Downloads folder. - On the first installer screen, select Add python.exe to PATH.
- Select Install Now for a per-user installation, or select Customize installation if you need a different location or an installation for all users.
The PATH checkbox is easy to miss. It adds both the Python installation directory and its Scripts directory to PATH, allowing commands such as python and pip to work in a newly opened terminal.
Install Now versus Customize installation
| Choice | When to use it | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Install Now | Personal development and the simplest setup | Installs Python for your user account, along with pip and the Python Launcher |
| Customize installation | You need a specific folder, optional features, or an all-users installation | Lets you choose features and installation scope; an all-users install may require administrator approval |
For most users, leave the default optional features selected. The default installation includes the standard library, pip, and the Python Launcher.
3. Choose installation options, if needed
If you selected Customize installation, leave pip, Python Launcher, and the standard library selected. On the advanced options screen, you can choose:
- Install for all users, which normally places Python under
C:Program FilesPython312and requires administrator approval. - A custom installation directory.
- Whether Python is added to PATH.
- File associations and shortcuts.
A per-user installation is usually easier on a personal PC because it does not require administrator rights. An all-users installation can be preferable on a shared or managed computer, but it may be controlled by organizational policies.
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Select Install and wait for the setup to complete. If Windows displays a prompt about long paths, enabling long-path support can help projects with deeply nested dependency directories.
4. Confirm that Python 3.12 is installed
Close the installer, open a new PowerShell or Command Prompt window, and run:
python --versionYou should see a result beginning with Python 3.12.
Also check the Python Launcher:
py --version
py --listTo explicitly start Python 3.12 when multiple versions are installed, use:
py -3.12At the Python prompt, test a short command:
print("Python 3.12 is working")Exit with:
exit()To see which executable the python command is using, run:
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5. Check pip
Python’s package installer, pip, should be installed with the full installer. Check it with:
py -3.12 -m pip --versionUsing pip through Python is more reliable than typing pip by itself because it guarantees that packages are installed into Python 3.12:
py -3.12 -m pip install --upgrade pipFor example, install the Requests package with:
py -3.12 -m pip install requests6. Create a Python 3.12 virtual environment
Use a virtual environment for each project. It keeps project dependencies separate from the system installation.
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- Create or open a project folder:
mkdir my-python-project
cd my-python-project- Create the environment with Python 3.12:
py -3.12 -m venv .venv- Activate it in Command Prompt:
.venvScriptsactivateIn PowerShell, use:
..venvScriptsActivate.ps1After activation, the terminal prompt normally starts with (.venv). Confirm the environment is using Python 3.12:
python --version
python -m pip --versionInstall packages inside the environment with:
python -m pip install package-nameTo leave the environment, run:
deactivateCommon installation problems
“python” is not recognized
Open a new terminal first. PATH changes do not update terminals that were already running.
If the command still fails, rerun the Python installer, select Modify, and enable the option that adds Python to PATH. You can also use the launcher:
py -3.12 --versionIf py is also unavailable, the Python Launcher may not have been installed. Run the installer again and select the launcher component.
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Typing python opens the Microsoft Store
Windows may be using its Python app execution alias instead of the executable you installed. Open Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases, find the Python aliases, and turn off the aliases that are redirecting the command. Then open a new terminal and test again.
Python and pip show different versions
Do not rely on a bare pip command when multiple Python installations exist. Use:
py -3.12 -m pip --version
py -3.12 -m pip install package-nameThat invokes pip through Python 3.12 rather than whichever pip.exe appears first on PATH.
PowerShell blocks activation
If PowerShell reports that script execution is disabled when you run Activate.ps1, you can activate the environment from Command Prompt instead:
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A package fails to install
First check that the package supports Python 3.12 and that pip is current:
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install package-nameSome packages contain native code and may need a compatible wheel, a C/C++ build toolchain, or another system dependency. The error message usually identifies the missing requirement. Installing an unrelated compiler will not fix every package-build failure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to change or remove Python 3.12
Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps, search for Python 3.12, select the three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall. If the maintenance screen appears, you can choose Modify, Repair, or Uninstall.
Uninstalling Python does not automatically remove project folders or virtual environments. Delete a project’s .venv folder separately if you no longer need it. If the Python Launcher was installed separately, it may remain as its own entry in Installed apps.
Optional: install from the Microsoft Store
The Microsoft Store can install Python, but it is less predictable for some development workflows because Store apps use package-managed locations and Windows app aliases. If you use it, select the Python package published by the Python Software Foundation, then verify the result with:
python --version
python -m pip --versionFor a conventional development machine, the installer downloaded from python.org remains the clearer choice because you control the installation options and PATH behavior.
FAQ
Which Python 3.12 download should I choose for Windows 11?
Choose the latest Python 3.12.x Windows installer (64-bit) from python.org. Do not choose the embeddable package unless you are embedding Python inside another application.
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No. Multiple Python versions can coexist. Use py -3.12 to select Python 3.12 explicitly and create project environments with py -3.12 -m venv .venv.
Should I add Python to PATH?
Yes, for a straightforward command-line setup, select Add python.exe to PATH during installation. It is not strictly required if you use the Python Launcher, but it makes python and pip easier to use.
How do I install packages specifically for Python 3.12?
Run py -3.12 -m pip install package-name. Inside an activated Python 3.12 virtual environment, use python -m pip install package-name.
Why does python show a different version from py?
The python command is resolved through PATH and Windows aliases, while py uses the Python Launcher. Run py -3.12 --version when you need to target Python 3.12 directly.
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Download the latest Python 3.12.x 64-bit installer from python.org, select Add python.exe to PATH, and verify it with py -3.12 --version. For real projects, create a separate environment with py -3.12 -m venv .venv and install packages through python -m pip.
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