pip install access denied on Windows

Question

In case of windows, in cmd try to run pip install using python executable

e.g.

python -m pip install mitmproxy

this should work, at least it worked for me for other package installation.

Change your Python installation folder's security permissions by:

1. Open a Python shell
2. Go to task manager
3. Find the python process
4. Right-click and open location
5. The folder will open in explorer, go up a directory
6. Right-click the folder and select properties
7. Click the security tab and hit 'edit'
8. Add everyone and give them permission to Read and Write.
9. Save your changes

If you open cmd as admin; then you can do the following:

If Python is set in your PATH, then:

python -m pip install mitmproxy

Personally, I found that by opening cmd as admin then run python -m pip install mitproxy seems to fix my problem.

Note:- I installed python through chocolatey

One additional thing that has not been covered in previous answers and that often cause issues on Windows and stopped me from installing some package despite running as admin is that you get the same permission denied error if there is another program that use some of the files you (or pip install) try to access. This is a really stupid "feature" of Windows that pops up many times, e.g. when trying to move some files.

In addition I have no clue how to figure out which program locks a particular file, so the easiest ting to do is to reboot and do the installation before starting anything, in particular before running e.g. Spyder or any other Python-based software. You can also try to close all programs, but it can be tricky to know which one actually holds a file. For a directory for example, it is enough that you have an Explorer window open at that directory.

As, i am installing through anaconda Prompt .In my case, it didn't even work with python -m pip install Then, i add this

python -m pip install <package_name> --user

It works for me.

Like: python -m pip install mitmproxy --user

Another you should try that run the Command Prompt as Run as Administrator and then try pip install. It should work either.

Open cmd with "Run as administrator" and execute the command pip install mitmproxy. It will install it.

Try to give permission to full control the python folder.

Find the python root directory-->right button click-->properties-->security-->edit-->give users Full Control-->yes and wait the process finished.

It works for me.