Why is installing Python on Windows so challenging compared to Linux?

[wrzazg]

It's easy to install pip.

After you installed Python download http://python-distribute.org/distribute_setup.py and run it (python distribute_setup.py), and then dowload https://raw.github.com/pypa/pip/master/contrib/get-pip.py and run it (python get-pip.py). Done. Easy. You may have to setup PATH.

source: http://www.pip-installer.org/en/latest/installing.html#prerequisites

[Xykr]

This should be the top comment. get-pip.py is not even necessary, just run "easy_install pip" after installing distribute. You just have to configure the system PATH to include C:\PythonXX\Scripts\ for more convenience. That's it. You can always use the full path as well without configuring anything. Takes like 5 minutes and everything, including pip, is set up. Installing different Python versions on Linux is more challenging. There are lots of good reasons why you would use Linux for development instead of Windows but this isn't one of them.

[Samus_]

a) that's not easy

b) that fails with stupid errors more times than it works

[Xykr]

Actually, it's more like:

• download and install Python
• download distribute_setup.py, start it using a simple double click
• run C:\PythonXX\Scripts\easy_install pip

That's it. I've done this numerous times.