What path to install Python 3.6 to on Windows?

python windows python-install
boot4life picture boot4life · Jun 25, 2017 · Viewed 88.4k times · Source

The 3.6 installer suggests C:\Users\MyUserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32 which is unlike any other software on Windows. I remember that earlier versions installed to C:\PythonXY which is also unusual on Windows. Is any of that really a good idea?

In particular, I don't see why I would want to install this only for my user account. The checkbox "Install launcher for all users (recommended)" is default checked which seems incompatible with installing into %APPDATA%.

What is a good path to install Python to?

I'm a complete Python amateur and I don't want to cause myself problems. I am fearful of adding a space to the path for example.

Clicking further through the installer it turns out there is a checkbox to install for all users. This immediately sets a Program Files (x86) based path to the checkbox.

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Answer

TrakJohnson picture TrakJohnson · Jun 25, 2017

This is a very subjective question in most cases, I'm not really sure if its even fit for SO.

Here are the different characteristics of each path:

C:\PythonXY:

  • Requires administrator rights
  • All users have access to it - better if you want only one install of a python version on your system
  • More practical to write in command line (might be needed for multiple python installs, although using venvs or conda envs solves this problem)
  • Program Files is the same, except that there are spaces in the path (probably a bad idea)

AppData:

  • Doesn't require administrator rights
  • Only for one user - good if the other users don't want/need it
  • Might be painful to write in command line

I have admin rights and am the only user on my computer, so I chose the first option, but it really is case-dependent.

EDIT Please see the comments below for rectifications on paths.

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