How to open python in cmd with the 'python' command in stead of py -3

Question

It is a minor issue, but since I reinstalled python (3.6.3 on windows 10), it no longer starts using the python command in the command prompt. Instead I have to use the py -3 command now.

The error:

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

Since it is probably the most common way to use python in commands on forums, it becomes quite annoying to change it every time.

Thank you in advance.

You are probably on Windows and have to append to the `path` environment variable — user1767754, Nov 28 '17 at 18:08

yoyoyoyo123 · Answer 1 · 2017-11-28T18:25:24.647

1

Set the PATH variable

Go to Control Panel/System and Security/System
Click on Advanced System Settings
Go to the Advanced Tab
Click the Environment Variables button at the bottom
In user/system variables section, edit the existing PATH variable with the appropriate python directories.

example

C:\Python3.6;C:\Python3.6\Lib\site-packages\;C:\Python3.6\Scripts\

edited Nov 28 '17 at 18:25

answered Nov 28 '17 at 18:17

yoyoyoyo123

2,362
2
22
36

There's no reason in general to add the "site-packages" directory to `PATH`. – Eryk Sun Nov 28 '17 at 18:35
yeah, its just habit for me for some odd reason – yoyoyoyo123 Nov 28 '17 at 18:40

Jesse McCall · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-28T19:04:18.843

As, others have said -- you could just add the python directory containing the executable to the PATH... I just want to give this as an extra option.

This is a general solution for any type of program or executable you'd like to run with a custom name.

I created an "Aliases" folder in my account C:\Users\{Your Account Name}\Aliases.

In that folder, I keep useful .bat scripts.

Just make a script called "python" and, in that script, put the path of your python.exe.

So, for example, this would be your entire bat file (named python.bat):

@echo off
echo .
C:\Python36\python.exe

if you want to be able to add args to your command, do the same but replace the execution line with the follows:

C:\Python36\python.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6

That will give you the ability to add up to 6 arguments. This is helpful if you're doing python pip commands directly from the command line.

After you create this file, simply add the folder to your PATH variable (Start -> Type Edit the Environment Variables for your account -> Click PATH -> click Edit -> Append the location of your "Aliases" folder to the PATH, using a semi-colon to separate it from the rest. -> Click OK and OK once again.) From now on, you don't have to worry about the PATH variable, just add more bat files and you're good to go!

How to open python in cmd with the 'python' command in stead of py -3

2 Answers2