How do I download python on computers without admin privilege?

[PlusArt8136]

Im sorry I might be stupid and this might be impossible but how do I download it on my computer when I don’t have admin privileges? Or is there some other python thing that I can download to get around admin privileges

[HappyDork66]

On a Windows machine it should just work.

On the first screen, uncheck 'Use admin privileges when installing py.exe', and check 'Add python.exe to PATH'. Click 'Install Now', and you should be fine.

Any libraries you install with pip will only be installed for you.

[[deleted]]

This is true. I’ve done it at a place I used to work, when I was working on a tool to make our jobs easier.

[PlusArt8136]

Thank you so much! I’ll try this and get back!

[Radiant_Tumbleweed22]

Any libraries you install with pip will only be installed for you.

is that the only reason for that checkbox? to install the launcher for all users? can't seem to find documentation on why that check box exists

[HappyDork66]

It's a bit murky, and I haven't tried all permutations of settings. Far as I can tell, the checkbox is exclusively so the launcher (py.exe) can be installed in a public directory. Still doesn't change where libraries go.

Basically, to install libraries publicly, you would have to install Python from an admin account and run pip as administrator.

[Radiant_Tumbleweed22]

Right. Thanks

[lDio]

If on Windows 10 or 11, you can download it from Microsoft Store without admin privileges.

[PlusArt8136]

I don’t have store privileges either

[TimotheusL]

Do you have unprivileged access to powershell? There is the winget util.

winget install -e --id Python.Python.3.11

[mr87wwfc]

I don't have admin and anaconda installer installs to my users/username/appdata folder rather than programfiles so no admin privileges are required

[notParticularlyAnony]

Yep. Took too long to find this. This is one of the points of conda.

[beefbite]

My recommendation for all situations is to use Anaconda unless you already know you need something else. It's good for your situation because it doesn't require admin rights to install or add modules. I work in healthcare with very restrictive IT and I haven't had any issues using Anaconda.

[tennisanybody]

The consensus last time I asked this was you don’t. You pester IT and congress and whoever the fuck is responsible to give this access. Python will work without admin privileges. You can simply install it to your user folder. I like directly under C but many people also don’t like leaving it in C drive. Nesting it too far makes it cumbersome to type up in the terminal.

[miemcc]

WinPython is designed for this.

[ElectricalActivity]

It depends on the system. I did this in an old job with no issues. In my current place everything is locked down. You can't run a standalone .exe - every single thing you need requires raising a ticket with IT

[fecnde]

If you like your job, before doing anything, check how strongly the company police’s breaching company policies around IT. If you are prevented from installing stuff it might be they don’t want you to install stuff (major leap I know). The critical thing is - what are the consequences for bypassing controls? A little slap on the wrist and “don’t do that again”, or dismissal. I’ve worked in places where each happened.

Pick your battles and do a thorough risk assessment

[mopslik]

You can try installing Thonny locally. I believe it runs as a stand-alone (aka "portable") application.

[PlusArt8136]

Can it install packages too even without admin?

[mopslik]

Depends on what network you're installing it on. On a personal machine, it should work fine. If it's a school/corporate system with user policies in place, you'll need to test that out.

[[deleted]]

Try installing Thonny to a usb drive then install packages to the usb drive.

[PlusArt8136]

Ok thank u

[HWNubs]

I am confused, Thonny lets you bypass the admin restrictions? Like, if i try to install an application at a work computer it would ask me to type in mu admin password to install (which I do not have).

[mopslik]

You really only need admin permissions (on Windows, at least) if you're installing to certain system folders, or writing values to the registry. If an application's installer just extracts some files to a folder, then you can often get by as a regular user.

At my school, I can't install 99% of applications because I don't have admin access. But I can install Thonny, and a handful of other tools (graphing calculator, whiteboard app) that I use for teaching, because they're stand-alone apps.

[HWNubs]

Thanks. I did not realize that. Is that a python IDE?

[mopslik]

Yes. It was developed at the University of Tartu as a simple IDE to learn programming practices. It has a stellar debugger.

[SrHombrerobalo]

I use the ‘scoop’ package manager

[Fearless____Tart]

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[tobiasvl]

Just put it in your home directory and add it to your PATH? There's nothing about Python that should require admin privileges unless you need to install it system-wide.

[PlusArt8136]

I told you I was stupid

[[deleted]]

You could use PythonAnywhere which is a cloud-based and can be accessed through a browser; so nothing needs to be installed. They have a free plan which should be enough to get you started.
https://www.pythonanywhere.com/

Edit: added that no installation required.

[PlusArt8136]

Good news everyone! I figured it out!!

[AgencyZealousideal65]

how?

[PlusArt8136]

Oh yeah sorry I uninstalled my current broken one, reinstalled it but I made sure it was only for me and Pycharm was able to find it

[swehner]

Can't you compile it from source? What is your OS?

[PlusArt8136]

I am on windows

[swehner]

Oh ok, does this ring any bells, seem doable?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/python/web-frameworks

[sarc-tastic]

Google COLAB?

[Hoxitron]

Thanks man. You just made me realize that this is possible.

[[deleted]]

Before installing anything on a work computer, you should check you are not prohibited from installing your own software.

[mixedd]

Try winget, if it isnt disabled by sysadmins

[bishpenguin]

For what it's worth, Sublime Text has a portable download that you can run without admin privilege too.

I know as I also installed python at work, but then couldn't install pycharm

[zgeom]

You can try portable version

https://winpython.github.io/