Install Python and Visual Studio Code (PC - Windows) — Interactive Checklist Form

Objective

This guide explains, step by step, how to install:

  • Python
  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
  • The Python extension for VS Code
  • A simple test program to confirm everything is working

Review Information

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Date

Overall Comments

Before You Start

You need:

  • A Windows PC
  • Internet access
  • Permission to install software

It is best to close other programs before starting.

Step 1 — Download Python

  1. Open your web browser.

  2. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/.

  3. Click the button to download the latest Python version for Windows.

  4. Wait until the installer file finishes downloading.

Step 2 — Install Python

  1. Open your Downloads folder.

  2. Double-click the Python installer file.

  3. On the first installation screen, very important, check:

  4. After checking the box, click:

    • Install Now

  5. Wait for the installation to finish.

  6. If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.

  7. When the installation is complete, click Close.

Step 3 — Verify Python Installation

  1. Open Command Prompt.

    • Click Start
    • Type cmd
    • Press Enter

  2. In Command Prompt, type:

python --version
  1. Press Enter.

You should see something similar to:

Python 3.x.x
  1. Also test pip by typing:
pip --version

You should see a version number.

Step 4 — If python Does Not Work

If you get a message saying Python is not recognized:

  1. Close Command Prompt.

  2. Run the Python installer again.

  3. Make sure you check:

  4. Complete the installation again.

  5. Open a new Command Prompt window and test again.

Step 5 — Download Visual Studio Code

  1. Open your web browser.

  2. Go to https://code.visualstudio.com/.

  3. Click Download for Windows.

  4. Wait for the installer to download.

Step 6 — Install Visual Studio Code

  1. Open the downloaded VS Code installer.

  2. Click Next through the setup screens.

  3. Accept the license agreement.

  4. Continue clicking Next until you reach Select Additional Tasks.

  5. It is recommended to check:

  6. Click Next.

  7. Click Install.

  8. After installation, click Finish.

Step 7 — Open VS Code

  1. Open Visual Studio Code.

  2. Wait for the main screen to appear.

  3. On the left side, locate the Extensions icon.

Step 8 — Install the Python Extension

  1. Click the Extensions icon.

  2. In the search box, type:

Python

  1. Find Python by Microsoft.

  2. Click Install.

  3. Wait for the extension to finish installing.

Step 9 — Open a Working Folder

  1. In VS Code, click File > Open Folder.

  2. Create or choose a folder for Python work.

Example:

C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Python-Projects
  1. Click Select Folder.

Step 10 — Create a Test Python File

  1. In VS Code, click File > New File.

  2. Save the file as:

test.py
  1. Type the following code into the file:
print("Hello Yahya - Python is working on PC!")
  1. Save the file.

Step 11 — Select the Python Interpreter

  1. Press:
Ctrl + Shift + P
  1. In the command box, type:
Python: Select Interpreter

  1. Click it.

  2. Choose the installed Python version.

It may look similar to:

Python 3.x.x 64-bit

Step 12 — Run the Test Program

You can run the file in either of these ways.

Option A — Run from VS Code Button

  1. Open test.py.

  2. Click the Run button near the top right.

  3. Check the terminal output at the bottom.

Option B — Run from Terminal

  1. In VS Code, click Terminal > New Terminal.

  2. Type:

python test.py
  1. Press Enter.

Expected result:

Hello Yahya - Python is working on PC!

Step 13 — Install Common Python Packages

In the VS Code terminal, type:

pip install pandas matplotlib numpy openpyxl

Press Enter and wait for installation to complete.

Step 14 — Check Installed Packages

To confirm installation, type:

pip list

Look for packages such as:

  • pandas
  • matplotlib
  • numpy
  • openpyxl

Step 15 — Create a Better Folder Structure

You may want a simple structure like this:

Python-Projects/
    01-Test/
    02-Scripts/
    03-Data/
    04-Results/

This helps keep your work organized.

Troubleshooting

Problem 1 — python not recognized

Possible reason:

  • Python was not added to PATH.

Fix:

  • Reinstall Python and check Add Python to PATH.

Problem 2 — VS Code cannot find Python interpreter

Fix:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + P
  • Run Python: Select Interpreter
  • Select the correct Python version

Problem 3 — pip not recognized

Fix:

  • Reinstall Python
  • Make sure Python and pip were installed correctly
  • Open a new Command Prompt window

Problem 4 — Script runs and closes too quickly

If using Command Prompt directly, add:

input("Press Enter to close...")

at the end of your test script.

Summary

You have now completed the following:

  • Installed Python on Windows
  • Installed Visual Studio Code
  • Installed the Python extension
  • Selected the Python interpreter
  • Created and ran a test Python file
  • Installed common Python packages

Next Suggested Step

Your next test file can be:

name = input("What is your name? ")
print("Hello", name)

Save it as:

hello.py

Then run it in VS Code.