How to Install Python Packages on Windows 7

For the complete and utter noob 
(put your new skills to the test over at my simpleTweet_01_python instructable.)

You want to use Python on a Windows 7 machine but you don't know what you're doing. What you do know is that in order to go anywhere and do anything you've got to install packages. Or maybe you don't even know that yet. Take a look at the top of any Python code and you'll likely see a line like this: import thingamajig . 

In Python, as with Java and its derivatives, you're always importing some established code into your project. If you're new to Python, new to Command Prompt, and new to anything non-Windows, then you're going to need a hand with that first step.

The good news is: it's easy.
There is no bad news. 

Step 1: Installing the Package

At the time of this draft, Python 2.7 is the stable install.
Download Python from http://www.python.org/ and install it at C:\Python27\
For users with 64-bit systems, the 32-bit version of all software is recommended. 

Open the Command Prompt
Goto your Start Menu. Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt

Type into the Command Prompt window:
set path=%path%;C:\Python27\
And hit enter.
You only need to do this once and never again. Read about it here: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/interpreter.html

Now we're ready to install a package. There's lots to chose from but we'll start here...

Download simplejson at http://pypi.python.org/pypi/simplejson
This is a simplejson-2.1.6.tar.gz file, which in Windows language means it is a strange and otherworldly kind of zip file.

To open the *tar.gz file, download PeaZip for Windows http://peazip.org/
Use PeaZip to extract (uncompress / unzip) simplejson-2.1.6.tar.gz into your Download directory.
You should end up with something similar to this: C:\Users\pdxNat\Downloads\simplejson-2.1.6\

Go back to your Command Prompt window or open a new one.
You'll need to change directories in the command line and here's how you do that (http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt/339 )

When you start, your command line should look something like this:
c:\Users\pdxNat>
You want to get into the simplejson-2.1.6 directory, so at the command prompt type this:
cd downloads\simplejson-2.1.6
or the complete path:
cd c:\Users\pdxNat\Downloads\simplejson-2.1.6
Your prompt will change from this
c:\Users\pdxNat>
to this
c:\Users\pdxNat\Downloads\simplejson-2.1.6>

Now for the fun part. Inside that simplejson directory there is a file called setup.py. We're going to install that into the Python universe. Type this into the Command Prompt :
python setup.py install

See all that stuff flying by? Forget about it. Open a Windows Explorer window (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer ) and go have a look inside the directory at C:\Python27\Lib\site-packages\
You'll see simplejson-2.1.6-py2.7.egg has been added to the directory.

Now open IDLE (Start > All Programs > Python 2.7 > IDLE (Python GUI)) and type the following:
>>> import simplejson
See all that nothing that happens? That's your sign of success. Congratulations.
You've just installed and imported your first package for Python on Windows 7.
Repeat as needed.

For more information
http://docs.python.org/tutorial/index.html
http://www.python-forum.org

-Download a package
-Extract the package
-Open Command Prompt
-set path (1st time only)
-change directory to Download\package\
-type >python setup.py install
-smile

Comments

[GauravD42]

Hi,

When Windows 7 doesn't have python 2.7 and I want to install python 2.7.13 first so how would I do this using batch file? Assume all setups are placed on common location.

[ShadrackK]

Am having Problem Installing Python in my PC...See my Error please and advice me accordingly http://forum.techoverload.net/index.php?topic=10.m...

Thank you

[HdjgD]

Guys who need windows 7 key can go link: https://windows7professionalblog.wordpress.com to got. It provide 100% working and to share.

[CurtisV7]

This Instructable is out of date. Use this: https://www.python.org/downloads/ it's automated with an installer, and installs a shell, too!

[ShilpaAtwaal]

! I will try to make
something similar

[Ishtar2]

If you encounter some problems when installing,you can try this link:www.aakeys.com .

[Wgqra27J]

Activate windows 7 click here: www.cdekey.com, you can find the keys you want in a low price that you have never imagined.

[ΈρικΚ]

Please warn people that if they forget %path%

[lovesoul80]

It is perfect! thank you dude

[AnjishnuR]

I followed the above steps. The simplejson-3.8.1-py2.7.egg directory was created under python2.7.11 (following all the correct paths...not repeating them here again)

But on running the "import simplejson" command at the python IDLE GUI command window i am getting this error:

>>> import simplejson

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "<pyshell#2>", line 1, in <module>

import simplejson

ImportError: No module named simplejson

Please suggest a solution for this

[ZzdxhqV]

If someone need windows 7 key, i suggest you click site

www.vinhugo.com to got. My key got here and after i used is great working.

[suhailirasidi]

tq! this help me a lot

[rejeesh.chandran.750]

you can also see it in the below link

http://s4silver.blogspot.in/p/how-to-install-pytho...

[rejeesh.chandran.750]

you can also see it in the below link

http://s4silver.blogspot.in/p/how-to-install-pytho...

[rejeesh.chandran.750]

you can also see it in the below link

http://s4silver.blogspot.in/p/how-to-install-pytho...

[Davaa]

Thanks for info. I have some quesion .

How to install libnss3.so python to win7

about this can u explain to me ?

[70mhz]

Great instructions but when I try to install simplejson my virus checker tells me its a virus and deletes it. Can I progress without simplejson ??

[crajendran]

Check your environment variables and add C:\python27 or C:\python33 if you have python 3 to the path

[tzahra]

Please help when I type python setup.py.install i get the following error
'python' is not recognised as an internal or external ciommand operable command or batch file.

What should I do to get the package started? I am a new user and want to learn Python well.

[yo9hnf]

It did work fine for my with Python 3.3 . Thank you PDXNAT !