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Python 3.8.10 is the final Python 3.8 release, and it is the version to download for a normal Windows 10 installation. Python 3.8 is no longer supported upstream, so use it only when an application, course, or dependency specifically requires 3.8. For new projects, install a supported Python version instead.
The safest route is the archived Python.org installer. Do not download a source archive unless you intend to compile Python yourself.
Before you install Python 3.8
Python 3.8.10 was the last release in the Python 3.8 series. It includes Windows installers, including a standard 64-bit installer. Python 3.8 reached the end of its security-support period in October 2024, so it no longer receives security fixes.
Windows 10 can run Python 3.8. Choose the installer that matches your Windows architecture:
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| Windows system | Download |
|---|---|
| Most Windows 10 PCs | Windows installer (64-bit) |
| Older 32-bit Windows installation | Windows installer (32-bit) |
| Windows 10 on ARM hardware | ARM64 installer, if available for the release |
To check your architecture, open Settings → System → About and look at System type. Most systems say “64-bit operating system, x64-based processor.”
1. Download Python 3.8.10
- Open the Python 3.8.10 release page on Python.org: python.org/downloads/release/python-3810/.
- Scroll to the Files section.
- Download Windows installer (64-bit) for a typical Windows 10 PC. Select Windows installer (32-bit) only if your Windows installation is 32-bit.
- Save the executable, such as
python-3.8.10-amd64.exe, and open it when the download completes.
Python.org’s current download pages may emphasize newer Python versions, so you may need to use the archived release page rather than the main download button.
2. Run the installer
On the first installer screen, select Add Python 3.8 to PATH before choosing an installation option. This adds Python’s installation directory and its Scripts directory to PATH, allowing commands such as python and pip to work in a newly opened terminal.
You will see two main choices:
- Install Now installs Python for your user account with the standard library, pip, the Python Launcher, and shortcuts.
- Customize installation lets you choose features, the installation directory, and whether Python is installed for all users.
For a personal computer, select Install Now after enabling the PATH option. Windows may ask for administrator approval if the installer needs to update a runtime component.
Install for all Windows users
Choose Customize installation if several Windows accounts need Python or if you want to install it in a shared location.
- On the first screen, select Customize installation.
- Leave pip, Python Launcher, and the standard library selected.
- Continue to Advanced Options.
- Select Install for all users.
- Optionally select Add Python to environment variables.
- Keep the default location, typically under
C:Program FilesPython38, or choose another short path. - Select Install and approve the administrator prompt.
An all-users installation normally requires administrator rights. It also creates shortcuts for all users and installs the launcher in a system location.
3. Verify the installation
Close any Command Prompt or PowerShell windows that were open during installation. Open a new one so it receives the updated PATH, then run:
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Python 3.8.10Also test the Python Launcher:
py --versionpy --list
To explicitly start Python 3.8 when multiple versions are installed, use:
py -3.8At the Python prompt, test code execution:
print("Python 3.8 is working")Exit with exit(), or press Ctrl+Z followed by Enter in Command Prompt.
If you want to see which executable the python command is using, run:
where python
where pypython follows PATH and Windows app-alias resolution. The py launcher uses its own runtime-selection rules, so the two commands can point to different installations.
4. Test pip
Use pip through the selected interpreter rather than relying on a standalone pip command:
py -3.8 -m pip --versionThe output should mention Python 3.8 and show the location of the Python 3.8 installation. Upgrade pip only if the project’s requirements allow it:
py -3.8 -m pip install --upgrade pipUsing python -m pip or py -3.8 -m pip prevents packages from accidentally being installed into another Python version.
5. Create a Python 3.8 virtual environment
A virtual environment keeps a project’s packages separate from the system installation. In Command Prompt, move into your project folder and run:
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cd my-python-project
py -3.8 -m venv .venvActivate it in Command Prompt:
.venvScriptsactivateIn PowerShell, use:
..venvScriptsActivate.ps1When activation succeeds, the terminal prompt normally begins with (.venv). Confirm that the environment uses Python 3.8:
python --version
python -m pip --versionInstall project dependencies while the environment is active:
python -m pip install package-nameLeave the environment with:
deactivateFix common installation problems
“Python was not found” or the Microsoft Store opens
Windows may have its Python app execution alias enabled. Open Start, search for Manage App Execution Aliases, and turn off the python.exe and python3.exe aliases if they are intercepting the command. Then open a new terminal and try python --version again.
You can bypass PATH while diagnosing the installation by using:
py -3.8 --version“py is not recognized”
The Python Launcher may not have been installed. Run the Python 3.8 installer again, choose Modify, and add the launcher if it is available. You can also reinstall Python and leave the launcher feature selected.
Python 3.8 is installed but `python` reports another version
This happens when another Python installation appears earlier in PATH. Check the selected executable:
where python
py --listFor a project that must use 3.8, use py -3.8 or create the virtual environment with py -3.8 -m venv .venv. Do not repeatedly edit PATH until you have identified which installation is being selected.
“pip is not recognized”
The Python Scripts directory may not be on PATH. The simplest workaround is:
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py -3.8 -m pip --versionTo add PATH entries manually, open Start, search for edit environment variables, and choose Edit the system environment variables. In System Properties, select Advanced → Environment Variables. Add the Python 3.8 installation directory and its Scripts directory to the appropriate Path variable. Open a new terminal afterward.
PowerShell blocks virtual-environment activation
If PowerShell reports that script execution is disabled, use Command Prompt activation instead, or change the policy for your user account if permitted by your organization:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSignedThen retry:
..venvScriptsActivate.ps1The installer fails because of a long path
Use a short installation and project path, such as C:Python38 and C:srcproject. Windows path-length restrictions can also affect package installation when dependencies create deeply nested folders. On managed computers, an administrator can enable the Enable Win32 long paths policy.
Silent installation
Administrators can install the 64-bit executable without the normal installer window. Open Command Prompt in the directory containing the installer and run:
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Uninstall Python 3.8
- Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
- Search for Python 3.8.
- Select the Python 3.8 entry and choose Uninstall.
- Follow the maintenance wizard.
The Python Launcher may appear as a separate entry. Removing Python 3.8 does not necessarily remove the launcher or virtual environments created elsewhere. Delete unused .venv folders separately after confirming that no project needs them.
FAQ
Is Python 3.8 compatible with Windows 10?
Yes. Python 3.8 supports Windows 7 and newer, so it runs on Windows 10. Python 3.8 itself is no longer supported, however, and should be installed only for software that requires it.
What is the latest Python 3.8 version for Windows?
Python 3.8.10 is the final Python 3.8 release and the normal version to install from Python.org. Choose the 64-bit Windows installer for most Windows 10 PCs.
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For Python 3.8, use the archived Python.org installer instead. The full installer gives you clearer control over the installation directory, PATH, launcher, and pip, and avoids Store package restrictions.
Do I need to add Python to PATH?
It is optional. Selecting Add Python 3.8 to PATH makes the python and pip commands easier to use. The Python Launcher can select Python 3.8 with py -3.8 even when PATH contains another Python version.
Why does `python` show a different version from `py -3.8`?
The python command follows PATH and Windows aliases, while py uses the Python Launcher. Use where python to inspect PATH and py –list to see runtimes detected by the launcher.
The Bottom Line
Download Python 3.8.10 from its archived Python.org release page, choose the Windows installer matching your system, enable Add Python 3.8 to PATH, and verify it with py -3.8 --version. For development, create projects with py -3.8 -m venv .venv. Remember that Python 3.8 is unsupported, so use a newer release unless compatibility requirements dictate 3.8.
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