Why can't I run pip on Windows Terminal (Ubuntu profile)

Question

Installed Python 3.10 with python-3.10.3-amd64.exe

Trying to start using python in my Windows environment, I get this in return when trying to execute pip in bash (Windows Terminal: Ubuntu profile)

$ bash > pip help

Command 'pip' not found, but can be installed with:

sudo apt install python-pip

Can't apt install package either

$ bash > sudo apt install python-pip

[sudo] password for user:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package python-pip

$ bash > sudo apt install python3-pip

[sudo] password for user:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package python3-pip

It runs fine in Powershell tho.

Path environment variables (User and System) have been added for:

C:\python310\Scripts

C:\python310\

I've also tried making an alias for the exe in my bash profile (I've removed it)

.bashrc

alias pip='C:\\python310\\Scripts\\pip3.exe'

But it returns this:

$ bash > pip
C:\Python310\Scripts\pip3.exe: command not found

Seems to be an issue with sudo apt update, but when I try to update i get this

$ bash > sudo apt update
Err:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic InRelease
  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
Err:2 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-security InRelease
  Temporary failure resolving 'security.ubuntu.com'
Err:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-updates InRelease
  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
Err:4 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-backports InRelease
  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
All packages are up to date.
W: Failed to fetch http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/bionic/InRelease  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
W: Failed to fetch http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/bionic-updates/InRelease  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
W: Failed to fetch http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/bionic-backports/InRelease  Temporary failure resolving 'archive.ubuntu.com'
W: Failed to fetch http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/bionic-security/InRelease  Temporary failure resolving 'security.ubuntu.com'
W: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.

How can I start using pip in Windows Terminal?

Thank you.

But @Joe's question is very important: you have to make sure to install the pip package that goes with the python installation you did. — joanis, Mar 18 '22 at 16:04
Thank you for reviewing everyone. I installed python 3.10 with python-3.10.3-amd64.exe and also tried `sudo apt install python3-pip`. I've added the result in the question. — Lord Reptilia, Mar 18 '22 at 16:12
in the installer if you’re using the gui installer there should be a check box to include pip — , Mar 18 '22 at 16:46
If it works in powershell and you’d like to use a different profile open that terminal, and type powershell. You should now be able to use pip — , Mar 18 '22 at 16:49
With your latest `sudo apt update` errors, you seem to be having network issues in WSL. Can you ping other hosts? `ping stackoverflow.com`? — NotTheDr01ds, Mar 18 '22 at 16:52
Right! I can't ping other hosts o: `ping: stackoverflow.com: Temporary failure in name resolution` — Lord Reptilia, Mar 18 '22 at 17:27
@LordReptilia Yes, see [this Ask Ubuntu](https://askubuntu.com/q/1398114/1165986) question and my answer there for some details and a likely solution for you. — NotTheDr01ds, Mar 19 '22 at 00:31

NotTheDr01ds · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-18T20:35:58.983

You likely have at least two different issues going on.

First, with the alias, you are attempting to use the Windows Python and pip with WSL/Linux/Ubuntu. You'll find multiple questions and answers here on Stack Overflow on why that isn't a good idea (even if you can get it to work).

Ubuntu already includes Python3 in WSL, and you should use that version if you are trying to develop in Ubuntu/WSL.

As for the sudo apt install python-pip failing, as noted it should be python3-pip.

As for the sudo apt install python3-pip failing, that's likely because you just installed WSL2/Ubuntu. When installed most distributions under WSL, the repository caches do not come pre-populated, in order to save on bandwidth when installing.

It's always a good practice to sudo apt update before installing software, but it's required that you do it at least the first time on WSL/Ubuntu.

Try that, then sudo apt install python3-pip.

Thanks. Seems that I haven't run `sudo apt install`. I've attempted it but I'm getting `W: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.` I've edited my question to include the full error message. — Lord Reptilia, Mar 18 '22 at 16:42

Why can't I run pip on Windows Terminal (Ubuntu profile)

1 Answers1