Installing multiple main and bit versions of Python

Question

What would be the best way/order to install both 32 and 64 bit versions of Python 2.7 and Python 3.3 if I want 64 bit Python 3.3 to be the default when I open .py files?

I already have the 32 bit version of each installed, with defaults set to Python 3.3.

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If it is fine to just rename the directory of my currently installed version, will python27.dll and programmes using it (or python33.dll) continue to work? This library gets installed to %WINDIR%\System32 and/or %WINDIR%\SysWoW64 by the python installer.

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Thanks for your answers, here is what I did:

1. Uninstalled Python 3.3 (This left 2 files)
   • C:\Python33\Lib\lib2to3\Grammar3.3.0.final.0.pickle
   • C:\Python33\Lib\lib2to3\PatternGrammar3.3.0.final.0.pickle
2. Uninstalled Python 2.7
3. Installed Python 2.7 x86 (without register extensions)
   • C:\Python\27_32\
4. Installed Python 2.7 x86-64 (without register extensions)
   • C:\Python\27\
5. Installed Python 3.3 x86 (without register extensions)
   • C:\Python\33_32\
6. Installed Python 3.3 x86-64 (with default register extensions)
   • C:\Python\33\
7. Deleted C:\Python33
   • CCleaner'd installer reference issues to this location

Answer 1

The installer typically has an option for "Set file associations" that handles that, and I think it's on by default, which means that the most-recently-installed one will handle double-clicking .py files. So install 64-bit Python 3.3 last and it should work. I just did this a few days ago with 32- and 64-bit version of 2.7 and it seems to work fine.

I wouldn't rename your existing directory, though. You should install each version of Python in its own directory.