How to Use Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python File

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A quick guide to operating Python scripts in command prompt

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parts

1Finding the Python File Path

2Running a Python File

3Adding Python to the PATH List

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Questions & Answers

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Whether you're writing Python code on your Windows PC or just want to use existing Python scripts, it'll be helpful to learn how to run code from the Command Prompt. Running Python code is easy—you'll just need to have Python installed. This How.com.vn article will walk you through opening a Python file from Command Prompt, and teach you how to fix the common "python is not recognized as an internal or external command" error.

Easy Way to Run a Python Script

To run a Python file, type “Python File.py” where “File” is your file’s name. For example, if your Python file is named “Script,” type “Python script.py” instead. Press enter to run the command and open the file.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding the Python File Path

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1. 
   1
   Go to the Python file's location. Find the Python file that you want to open in Command Prompt.

   • If you already know the folder path to the Python file you want to open, skip ahead to opening the file in Command Prompt.
2. 
   2
   Select the Python file. Click once the Python file for which you want to see the folder path.
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3. 
   3
   Right-click the Python file. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu to appear.
4. 
   4
   Click Properties. It's in the drop-down menu. The properties window will open.
5. 
   5
   Note the "Location" value. The folder address (or "path") to the right of the "Location" heading is what you'll need to enter into Command Prompt when switching to the directory in which your Python file is stored.

   • You can copy the location by highlighting it (click and drag your mouse across the "Location" value) and then pressing Ctrl+C.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Running a Python File

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1. 
   1
   Open Start

   

   . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will pop up.
2. 
   2
   Search for Command Prompt. Type in cmd to do so.
3. 
   3
   Click

   

   Command Prompt. It's at the top of the Start menu. Doing so will open Command Prompt.
4. 
   4
   Switch to your Python file's directory. Type cd and a space, then type in the "Location" address for your Python file and press ↵ Enter.

   • For example, to open a Python file in a folder named "Files" on your Desktop, you would enter cd desktop/Files here.
   • If you copied the path to the file, you can type in cd and a space and then press Ctrl+V to paste in the path.
5. 
   5
   Enter the "python" command and your file's name. Type in python file.py where file is your Python file's name.

   • For example, if your Python file is named "script", you would type in python script.py here.
   • If your Python file has one or more spaces in its name, you'll place quotation marks around the file name and extension (e.g., python "my script.py").
6. 
   6
   Press ↵ Enter. Doing so runs your command and opens your Python file via your computer's installed Python program.

   • If you encounter an error that says 'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command after pressing Enter, you'll need to add Python to the PATH list before retrying this part.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Adding Python to the PATH List

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1. 
   1
   Enable viewing for hidden folders. Since one of the folders that contains your Python installation folder is most likely hidden, you'll have to unhide it before proceeding:

   • Open File Explorer
     
     .
   • Click the View tab.
   • Check the "Hidden items" box.
2. 
   2
   Navigate to your Python folder. In some cases, the Python path is "C:\Python27"; however, if you've installed the most recent version of Python using the default settings, it's tucked away in a hidden folder. You can copy the proper file path by doing the following:

   • Click This PC on the left side of the File Explorer.
   • Double-click your hard drive in the "Devices and drives" section.
   • Scroll down and double-click the "Users" folder.
   • Double-click the folder with your username on it.
   • Scroll down and double-click "AppData".
   • Double-click "Local".
   • Scroll down and double-click "Programs".
   • Double-click the "Python" folder.
   • Double-click the Python folder with your preferred version number (e.g., "Python36").
3. 
   3
   Copy the path to the Python folder. Click once the address bar at the top of the File Explorer to highlight its contents, then press Ctrl+C to copy the highlighted address.
4. 
   4
   Open the Power User menu. Right-click the Start

   

   icon to do so. You should see a pop-up menu appear.

   • You can also press ⊞ Win+X to open the Power User pop-up menu.
5. 
   5
   Click System. It's in the pop-up menu. A new window will open.
6. 
   6
   Click System info. This is a link in the upper-right corner of the window. Doing so opens the System Information window.
7. 
   7
   Click the Advanced system settings link. You'll see this in the upper-left side of the System Information window. Yet another window will pop up.
8. 
   8
   Click Environment Variables…. It's in the bottom-right corner of the pop-up window.
9. 
   9
   Find the "Path" heading in the "User variables" pane. This window is at the top of the Environment Variables window.

   • You may have to scroll up or down with your mouse cursor hovering over the "User variables" pane to find the "Path" variable.
10. 
    10
    Double-click the "Path" heading. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
11. 
    11
    Click New. It's on the right side of the window. A text field will open in the middle of the window.
12. 
    12
    Paste in your copied path. Press Ctrl+V to do so. Your copied path will appear in the text field in the middle of the window.
13. 
    13
    Click OK on the three open windows. This will save your changes and close the "Path" window, the "Environmental Variables" window, and the "System Properties" window.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  I want to create a shortcut that executes the utility "ptpython," running in the cmd prompt. The shortcut I have points to the directory containing "ptpython.exe" file but it does not execute it.

  

  Community Answer

  It sounds like ptpython.exe is a command-line utility, meaning it will only start if you execute it from a DOS window - you can't create a shortcut for it directly. You can probably create a shortcut to cmd.exe, though (the DOS window) and pass it the ptpython.exe file as a parameter. Something like "cmd.exe /c ptpython.exe" should work, or if this disappears in the end, try with /k (instead of /c).

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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• Question

  Does this work on Windows 7?

  

  Arrogance

  Top Answerer

  Yes. The directions to access the environment variables would be slightly different, as there is no "Power User" menu in Windows 7. Instead: 1. Press the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog. 2. Enter "sysdm.cpl". 3. Click the "Advanced" tab of the System Properties Window. 4. Click the "Environmental variables". Most everything else would work as described even on Windows 95 (if there's a version of Python for Windows 95).

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 0Helpful 1
• Question

  After opening the Command Prompt and navigation to the directory in which the py file exists and opening Python, not able to run the file using python file_name.py. It says that the syntax is wrong.

  

  Arrogance

  Top Answerer

  That sounds like a problem with the file you're trying to run. Make sure you are using the right version of Python for it (version 2 or 3, usually).

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 0Helpful 1

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