How to run Pip commands from CMD

algorhythm picture algorhythm · Apr 23, 2015 · Viewed 341.8k times · Source

As I understand, Python 2.7.9 comes with Pip installed, however when I try to execute a Pip command from CMD (Windows) I get the following error:

'pip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

When I type python I do get the following, which suggests it has been installed correctly:

Python 2.7.9 (default, Dec 10 2014, 12:24:55) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

I did however need to add some environmental variables to get the python part working on CMD:

  • Add to the environment variable PATH: "C:\Python27\"

  • Define the system variable PYTHONPATH: "C:\Python27\"

I cannot find a Pip folder within the Python directory, however there is a folder called "ensurepip" in C:\Python27\Lib\.

Does anybody know how can I get Pip commands to start working in CMD?

Answer

Marco Bonelli picture Marco Bonelli · Apr 23, 2015

Little side note for anyone new to Python who didn't figure it out by theirself: this should be automatic when installing Python, but just in case, note that to run Python using the python command in Windows' CMD you must first add it to the PATH environment variable, as explained here.


To execute Pip, first of all make sure you have it installed, so type in your CMD:

> python
>>> import pip
>>>

And it should proceed with no error. Otherwise, if this fails, you can look here to see how to install it. Now that you are sure you've got Pip, you can run it from CMD with Python using the -m (module) parameter, like this:

> python -m pip <command> <args>

Where <command> is any Pip command you want to run, and <args> are its relative arguments, separated by spaces.

For example, to install a package:

> python -m pip install <package-name>