How can I execute Python scripts using Anaconda's version of Python?

Question

I recently downloaded the Anaconda distribution for Python. I noticed that if I write and execute a Python script (by double-clicking on its icon), my computer (running on Windows 8) will execute it using my old version of Python rather than Anaconda's version. So for example, if my script contains import matplotlib, I will receive an error. Is there a way to get my scripts to use Anaconda's version of Python instead?

I know that I can just open Anaconda's version of Python in the command prompt and manually import it, but I'd like to set things us so that I can just double-click on a .py file and Anaconda's version of Python is automatically used.

Answer 1

I know this is old, but none of the answers here is a real solution if you want to be able to double-click Python files and have the correct interpreter used without modifying your PYTHONPATH or PATH every time you want to use a different interpreter. Sure, from the command line, activate my-environment works, but OP specifically asked about double-clicking.

In this case, the correct thing to do is use the Python launcher for Windows. Then, all you have to do is add #! path\to\interpreter\python.exe to the top of your script. Unfortunately, although the launcher comes standard with Python 3.3+, it is not included with Anaconda (see Python & Windows: Where is the python launcher?), and the simplest thing to do is to install it separately from here.

Answer 2

Set your python path to the Anaconda version instead

Windows has a built-in dialog for changing environment variables (following guide applies to XP classical view): Right-click the icon for your machine (usually located on your Desktop and called “My Computer”) and choose Properties there. Then, open the Advanced tab and click the Environment Variables button.

In short, your path is:

My Computer ‣ Properties ‣ Advanced ‣ Environment Variables In this dialog, you can add or modify User and System variables. To change System variables, you need non-restricted access to your machine (i.e. Administrator rights).

Find your PATH variable and add the location of your Anaconda directory.

Example of someone doing it here: How to add to the PYTHONPATH in Windows, so it finds my modules/packages? Make sure that you sub path out for the Anaconda file though.

Answer 3

The instructions in the official Python documentation worked for me: https://docs.python.org/2/using/windows.html#executing-scripts

1. Launch a command prompt.

2. Associate the correct file group with .py scripts:

   assoc .py=Python.File
   

Redirect all Python files to the new executable:

    ftype Python.File=C:\Path\to\pythonw.exe "%1" %*

The example shows how to associate the .py extension with the .pyw executable, but it works if you want to associate the .py extension with the Anaconda Python executable. You need administrative rights. The name "Python.File" could be anything, you just have to make sure is the same name in the ftype command. When you finish and before you try double-clicking the .py file, you must change the "Open with" in the file properties. The file type will be now ".py" and it is opened with the Anaconda python.exe.