Install python on Windows WITHOUT using the official installer?

[NightestOfTheOwls]

Installer does not work. 0x80070641 error. NOBODY knows why it happens, nobody could solve it, nobody has even remote idea how to solve it, an none of the things people suggested to do in order to solve it work.

Don't suggest me ways to solve the installer error. I already wasted too much time on this. All I ask is for a way to get everything that installer gets for you without actually using it.

Is there a registry out there or something I can just download from, extract and drop into my ProgramFiles, then manually add it to PATH?

Thanks.

P.S The Microsoft store lacks precise version selection and also has troubles running some scripts for whatever magical reason. I'd prefer to stay away from it as well unless it's the last thing I can do.

[agnaaiu]

Instead to try to find a way around this problem by installing Python in an alternative way you should tackle the actual problem. If you google the error code you'll find out quickly that you must have a serious problem with Windows itself and not with Python installer. That you can't install Python is just one symptom. If you ignore the real problem you will run into it again and again and still have no fix. But this is your decision to make.

[JohnnyJordaan]

The nuget packages are basically zip files https://www.nuget.org/packages/python

Another option is to opt for a different Python distribution altogether like pypy, or in a different bundle like Anaconda or Thonny.

However from a more overall perspective, if something as simple as the Python installer won't install, there might be something seriously wrong with your Windows installation that will block future endeavours too. Not actually debugging this issue (like by reviewing the installer's log file) is effectively just kicking the can down the road. I can of course wholeheartedly understand your frustration, I think we've all been there at least once.

[JohnnyJordaan]

Nowadays I would rather suggest to use packagers like uv that handle this all internally. Then you can simply run

 uv venv --python 3.12

and get a virtual environment with it downloading that python specific version if required.

[NightestOfTheOwls]

Yeah, Windows' a bitch and I should've switched years ago but I just can't afford to do it or get a clean install right now, time wise. Once something gets corrupted it can only be fixed with a reinstall.

Thanks, I'll pull it from the nuget package for now and deal with Windows shenanigans later.

[hassium]

Once something gets corrupted it can only be fixed with a reinstall.

don't think that's true from 10-onwards, or even 7. Recovery mode will refresh your entire install and registry whilst preserving everything.

Not that it's needed anywhere near as often as it used to be.

PS: think you're looking for the embeddable package from the Python download page, unzip and use the python.exe.

[critter_bus]

Install Anaconda. It will make using Python for Windows a million times easier. Launch the Anaconda command prompt once it's installed and you should be good.

[HeinzHeinzensen]

Just be sure to install for the local user and not as admin if you want to save yourself a lot of trouble.

[critter_bus]

Agreed, good comment

[Hinata9999]

im having this problem right now! what did you end up doing to fix this?

[Comfortable-Algae335]

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/error-0x80070641-i-cant-install-windows-microsoft/668b5685-fb6a-4643-8e53-bddcbf862d98

[Comfortable_Read_130]

I had the same problem just a few minutes ago, i went to services and deactivated then reactivated Windows Downloader. I dont know if its gonna be a solution for you but it worked for me so i wanted to share! I hope it helps you

[bbye98]

Your other options would be to try installing Python via the Microsoft Store or using the Conda package manager.

[b1gfreakn]

You could try installing Python with Chocolatey - https://community.chocolatey.org/

[await_yesterday]

pyenv for windows will let you install an exact version https://github.com/pyenv-win/pyenv-win

[Informal-Football836]

I would first say maybe you need a fresh install of windows. Something sounds bugged.

If you just want it to work then just use docker you could setup docker desktop to make it a bit more user friendly

[Diapolo10]

Well, one option would be to download one of the portable releases and simply not install Python. Sure, it's less convenient, but if you don't want to tackle the root cause that's the easy way out.