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VPS: Installation of Python

This guide was created with the following products:

(Details may vary with products from different providers but the main concepts remain the same)

VPS

Introduction​

This guide provides steps for the installation of Python runtime on Windows. The steps provided below must be executed via RDP, if you don't know how to connect to your server via RDP, please have a look at our Initial access (RDP) guide.

Installation​

Step 1: Downloading Files​

Open up the browser of your choice (I'm going to use Chrome for this guide) and head over to https://www.python.org/downloads/

Picture of python.com/downloads

Now click on the Download Python [version] button and wait for it to finish.

Picture of Python installer downloaded

Step 2: Installing Python​

Run the installer by clicking on it. Now you will be prompted to set a few settings for the installation. Make sure the Add python.exe to PATH checkbox at the bottom is marked (this will make running Python files easier later on) and click the Install Now button.

Picture of Python's Installer - First Page

Step 3: Completing Installation​

Wait for all files to be installed. Be patient as this may take some time. :)

Picture of Python's Installer downloading files

Once it is finished, simply press Close and you can begin using Python on your server.

Picture of Python's Installer - Succefully installed Page

Running code​

Now that you have Python installed on your server, you can start running your Python programs.

Interpreter mode​

Running the python command inside a Command Prompt or PowerShell instance will now start the Python interpreter. You can start writing any valid Python code after the >>> prefix and it will be executed after pressing Enter. You can close the interpreter once you are finished by running exit() into the console or simply closing the prompt.

Python Interpreter mode

Running .py files​

In order to run .py Python files, you can simply use the python3 [filename].py command, replacing [filename] with the path to the target file name you wish to run. This is once again done through a Command Prompt or PowerShell instance.

tip

Most programs you can find online can be run with the python3 main.py because main.py is the common starting point of most Python programs.

You can also simply run Python (.py) files by opening them, or right-clicking and selecting Python directly through Windows.

Virtual environments​

When writing a Python program you might need to install external packages from pip. These can be installed globally and thus be accessible for all .py scripts or you can create a virtual environment (venv).

Creating the venv​

Firstly, navigate to the folder where you wish to set up your venv using the file explorer and once ready, run python -m venv . which will install the required files at the current location.

Activating & deactivating​

To run commands like pip install inside your venv you need to activate it by running .\Scripts\activate. Now your console is only going to run inside the venv and scripts will only have access to locally installed packages.

When you have finished working inside the venv you can go back by running the deactivate command.

Activating / Deactivating Python venv

Conclusion​

Congratulations, you have successfully installed and configurated the Python on your VPS! If you have any further questions or problems, please contact our support team, who are available to help you every day!