G+_Cosmic Ray Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 How to Open Python in Windows 8: Finally got around to trying Python yesterday. Noticed that Padre is using Windows 8, so I went ahead and downloaded Python 2.7.6 as directed onto this Windows 8.1 computer. During the installation, I selected the default location (C:\Python27). I have Win 8.1 set to boot to Desktop (hate the Modern UI), so tried to use File Explorer to go to the Python folder and open the Program. The Python27 folder lists python.exe and pythonw.exe. Double clicking python.exe gave me an interface that did not have the normal Windows menu bar at the top, as shown in Padre's screenshot. Closing that, and then double clicking on pythonw.exe (which I assumed was the Windows interface) flashed a box on the screen, then disappeared. Ok. Maybe I need to run it from the Run command? Nope, same problem. Maybe open a CMD window first and then type the path and filename? Nope. I was able to go into Documents and create a new Text File, and change the .txt externsion to .py. Then I could right-click it and select Edit with IDLE (the python interface), but that gave me the pre-made text file in IDLE. How to open a new, blank IDLE window? Finally, I started reading through the included Documentation, and also the online Help, but they are all geared to the more advanced features (after you get the program open). I did find something that said to go into Programs in the START menu and open the Python folder, then click the selection for IDLE. Of course, with Windows 8 I don't have a START menu with "Programs" or "All Programs" (Yes, I know about START8 and Classic Shell, but I was trying to do this the hard way - aka the Microsoft way) Finally I realized I just had to go to the hated Modern screen and type Python, and the computer found the proper choices for opening the program. Easy, of course, once you know how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joe Maruschek Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Users that know about the All Apps screen in Windows 8/8.1, then stop reading now. If you didn't know, in Windows 8.1 newly installed programs do not appear on the start screen by default like they did in 8. They do show up in the "All apps" screen which can be reached by clicking on the down arrow that appears when you move the mouse near the bottom left of the start screen (or you can flick the start screen up if you have a touch screen). You can sort the apps screen in different ways by clicking on the drop-down menu next to the screen title. I feel this is a good alternative to searching for programs all the time. Once you find the program you want on this screen, you can right-click it and either pin it to the taskbar or the start screen so you don't have to search for it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brandon Ingli Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Just pin IDLE onto your taskbar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Cosmic Ray Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Not that easy when you can't find it. Guess you didn't read my post very closely. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Cosmic Ray Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Joe, Thanks for typing all that, but it didn't work that way for me. It didn't work that way on this Windows 8.1 desktop computer the other day, and I just now tried it on my Windows 8.1 laptop. Python did not appear in either the Start screen or the All Apps bottom section on either computer. After I did a search for it, I found IDLE and was able to pin it to the taskbar, but as I said in my original post, I normally work from the desktop and do not even look at Tile World at all. That's why it took me a bit to find it, and why I decided to post my message to possibly help someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joe Maruschek Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I'm sorry to hear that that you couldn't find the Python icons on the All Apps screen. I have 8.1 and they were there. I just sorted the screen by date installed, and bam, they were right at the top. Did you use the MSI installer? If not, then that might explain why they were not on the All Apps screen since Windows didn't know you installed them. Starting with Vista, I really embraced the start menu search, and since then I almost never try to find a program wading through the folders on the start menu. That same technique works exactly the same on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1: hit the Windows Key (which brought up the start menu before) and just start typing the name of the program. Within a few keystrokes, the program is usually found and you just hit Enter to start it. Oh well. Back to learning python! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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