How to run Pip commands from CMD

Question

As I understand, Python 2.7.9 comes with Pip installed, however when I try to execute a Pip command from CMD (Windows) I get the following error:

'pip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

When I type python I do get the following, which suggests it has been installed correctly:

Python 2.7.9 (default, Dec 10 2014, 12:24:55) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

I did however need to add some environmental variables to get the python part working on CMD:

Add to the environment variable PATH: "C:\Python27\"
Define the system variable PYTHONPATH: "C:\Python27\"

I cannot find a Pip folder within the Python directory, however there is a folder called "ensurepip" in C:\Python27\Lib\.

Does anybody know how can I get Pip commands to start working in CMD?

Marco Bonelli · Accepted Answer · 2020-07-08T07:41:13.627

183

Little side note for anyone new to Python who didn't figure it out by theirself: this should be automatic when installing Python, but just in case, note that to run Python using the python command in Windows' CMD you must first add it to the PATH environment variable, as explained here.

To execute Pip, first of all make sure you have it installed, so type in your CMD:

> python
>>> import pip
>>>

And it should proceed with no error. Otherwise, if this fails, you can look here to see how to install it. Now that you are sure you've got Pip, you can run it from CMD with Python using the -m (module) parameter, like this:

> python -m pip <command> <args>

Where <command> is any Pip command you want to run, and <args> are its relative arguments, separated by spaces.

For example, to install a package:

> python -m pip install <package-name>

edited Jul 08 '20 at 07:41

answered Apr 23 '15 at 08:15

Marco Bonelli

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python -m pip install /usr/bin/python: pip is a package and cannot be directly executed – Anton Balashov Sep 23 '16 at 14:02
What is the "-m" – MadmanLee Jan 02 '19 at 23:38
1

@MadmanLee "m" stands for module, it launches a module executing it as a script rather than importing it. – Marco Bonelli Jan 03 '19 at 00:06

score 25 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 23 '15 at 08:40

25

Make sure to also add "C:\Python27\Scripts" to your path. pip.exe should be in that folder. Then you can just run:

C:\> pip install modulename

answered Apr 23 '15 at 08:40

Tamerz

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If you work behind a firewall you may need to include your proxy server as an argument to your pip command. pip --proxy YourProxyUrl:81 install pythonnet – Bill Kidd Jul 18 '16 at 08:53

Benoit Blanchon · Answer 3 · 2018-10-10T08:03:55.977

24

Newer versions of Python come with py, the Python Launcher, which is always in the PATH.

Here is how to invoke pip via py:

py -m pip install <packagename>

py allows having several versions of Python on the same machine.

As an example, here is how to invoke the pip from Python 2.7:

py -2.7 -m pip install <packagename>

edited Oct 10 '18 at 08:03

answered Dec 18 '17 at 09:49

Benoit Blanchon

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is there a way to just call "pip" instead of preceding with "py -m" ? do i need to update PATH or something? or just create an alias? – Akin Hwan Jan 05 '19 at 16:09
1

@AkinHwan, you would have to add it to the `PATH`, because only the `py` command is exposed by default. It makes sense since you could have several versions of Python on your computer, `py` allows you to select the one you want. – Benoit Blanchon Jan 07 '19 at 08:07

score 6 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 15 '16 at 09:51

Go to the folder where Python is installed .. and go to Scripts folder .

Do all this in CMD and then type :

pip

to check whether its there or not .

As soon as it shows some list it means that it is there .

Then type

pip install <package name you want to install>

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 19 '17 at 13:55

Firstly make sure that you have installed python 2.7 or higher

Open Command Prompt as administrator and change directory to python and then change directory to Scripts by typing cd Scripts then type pip.exe and now you can install modules Step by Step:

Open Cmd
type in "cd \" and then enter
type in "cd python2.7" and then enter

Note that my python version is 2.7 so my directory is that so use your python folder here...

type in "cd Scripts" and enter
Now enter this "pip.exe"
Now it prompts you to install modules

score 4 · Answer 6 · edited Aug 10 '17 at 07:58

Simple solution that worked for me is, set the path of python in environment variables,it is done as follows

Go to My Computer
Open properties
Open Advanced Settings
Open Environment Variables
Select path
Edit it

In the edit option click add and add following two paths to it one by one:

C:\Python27

C:\Python27\Scripts

and now close cmd and run it as administrator, by that pip will start working.

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 04 '18 at 23:05

In my case I was trying to install Flask. I wanted to run pip install Flask command. But when I open command prompt it I goes to C:\Users[user]>. If you give here it will say pip is not recognized. I did below steps

On your desktop right click Computer and select Properties

Select Advanced Systems Settings

In popup which you see select Advanced tab and then click Environment Variables

In popup double click PATH and from popup copy variable value for variable name PATH and paste the variable value in notepad or so and look for an entry for Python.

In my case it was C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36-32

Now in my command prompt i moved to above location and gave pip install Flask

How to run Pip commands from CMD

7 Answers7

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