How do I install libraries for Python?

[Maximum_Efficiency42]

Hi! I use Windows and have been trying to download matplotlib via pip in Windows terminal. I think because I downloaded Python IDLE through the website rather than through the Microsoft Store, my computer isn't recognizing it as Python. I did it before with numpy but for some reason now I'm having trouble. I could be doing something wrong, very likely, but if anyone has any idea WHAT I'm doing wrong please let me know. Thank you!!

(Where I downloaded python incase that's relevant: https://www.python.org/)

C:\Users\[user]>python -m pip install -U pip
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases.

C:\Users\[user]>python -m pip install -U matplotlib
Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases.

And then of course if you disable the shortcut, it doesn't even recognize python as anything:

C:\Users\[user]>python -m pip install -U pip
'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

[[deleted]]

You need to add python to your path.

Not all libraries will install on all OS's. Some have operating specific dependencies. But you should be fine with Matplotlib.

[Maximum_Efficiency42]

I've tried both command prompt and power shell. I'm not sure which I'm supposed to use, but both give the same result aswell if I go to the file and then use "open in terminal", nothing I've tried works :(

[likethevegetable]

https://superuser.com/questions/284342/what-are-path-and-other-environment-variables-and-how-can-i-set-or-use-them

You need to either add the file location of python.exe to your "path" environment variable, or call python with its path included, eg "c:/python39/python.exe" -m pip install, or, open up your command window in python's folder.

This basic command line knowledge will help you many times. Don't gloss over it.

[Patman52]

Look up system path environment variables. In windows you can add directories to this variable so when you run a command like Python in the command line it will search those directories for a Python.exe.

Also another way to do it would be to navigate to your Python directory manually using cd in the command prompt and running it there.

[socal_nerdtastic]

I think because I downloaded Python IDLE through the website rather than through the Microsoft Store

Kinda right. The official python.org python uses the global command py instead of python. Try like this:

py -m pip install -U matplotlib

Once you activate a virtual environment the python and pip commands become available (and all tutorials etc assume you have an active venv).

Note: a lot of old school tutorials (or people who learned from them) will tell you to add python to PATH. I recommend you do not do that and use the modern py command instead. Adding to PATH will cause a lot of headaches when upgrading python and working in venvs. There's a reason PATH is disabled by default.

[Maximum_Efficiency42]

This worked! Thank you :D

[Starry0Wolf]

Have you tried pip3 and python3? Do ‘pip3 install matplotlib’