Python Install Manager

Using the Python Install Manager on Windows Desktop and Server

When I first began using Python, one of the aspects I liked was the simple install. Just download the "python installer" from python.org and a nice wizard guides you through the install process. Updates were kind of a pain as you had to uninstall/re-install to update, but otherwise it was nice and simple.

Python Install Manager (pymanager)

As of 2025 python.org now wants you to use the Python Install Manager. The windows install process is described in detail here. There are now a whole lot of options.

Install the Python Install Manager

Download the install manager (ex. python-manager-26.3.msix) from python.org
On Windows 11 desktop, just double-click the file and click the Install Python button
Terminal will open and you will be prompted with a series of install questions. You can generally accept the defaults, which will then also install the latest version of the Python runtime
type pymanager list and it will show at least one runtime version installed
type pymanager --list-paths if you want to also see where it was installed
On Windows Server, you probably won't be able to double-click the .msix file
Instead do Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\path\python-manager-26.3.msix"
You won't be prompted with install questions like on the desktop
If you still want those then do pymanager install --configure

pymanager vs py (and python)

After installing pymanager, you can use the commands py or pymanager interchangeably to invoke pymanager functionality.

Also, the python command launches the default interpreter as expected as will py when used without arguments.

Installing a Specific Runtime Version

Install a specific version of python using the python install 3.14 command (for example) or just python install 3 to install the latest python 3 version. Also just typing the python command after pymanager is installed will install the latest version if none are installed.

Installing to a Specific Location

The default install location is typically something like this: C:\Users\jimsv\AppData\Local\Python\pythoncore-3.14-64\python.exe

To install to a specific location use this command: pymanager install --target=C:\Python314 3

Note that when using --target this effectively becomes and "unmanaged" install, and it won't show up when doing pymanager list

Behavior with VENV

Maybe this has always been the case the but when using pymanager it now doesn't seem to copy the actual python.exe file to the .venv\Scripts, but rather it's a shortcut to the python.exe file in the default install location (see above).

Uninstalling

You can remove all installed python runtimes with pymanager uninstall --purge

You can uninstall the Python Install Manager by going to Settings (Windows + I) -> Apps -> Installed Apps -> find Python Install Manager and click uninstall

Benefits of pymanager

One of the main benefits of installing pymanager is now all installed runtimes can be updated using the pymanager install --update command.

Unmanaged Versions

If you have older python runtimes installed using the legacy install process, pymanager might note these as "other existing but unmanaged" versions. If you want to clean things up you might want to uninstall these using the standard windows add/remove programs. If they still show up in pymanager, then you can go into the registry at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Python

And delete the old references.

Conclusion

I think one the great features of python was how easy it was to install and start using python. Unfortunately for new users I think this has now become more difficult. However for experience users we now have a better way to manage python runtime installations.