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I have python v2.7 and 3.6 on Windows 10. I installed 3.6 later and also chose the option "Add to PATH". In the command line, when I type python, I get v3.6. I already tried to set PATH in View Advanced System Settings, but it doesn't work and python 3.6 is also no where to be found there. So when I want to set v2.7 as default (in order to run python script in the Atom Editor or the cmd), I have to reinstall v2.7 and ticked the "Add to PATH" option.

How can I set my new default python version to use for example in a text editor or cmd... without having to reinstall it?

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  • Have you tried removing Python2.7 from the PATH variable? (search for edit enviroment variables in start) Commented Apr 29, 2017 at 0:00
  • I already did that. The problem is Python doesn't need to be in the PATH variable in order to run. Commented Apr 29, 2017 at 0:08
  • From my knowledge(Could be wrong) the cmd, whenever you run something, this is in no particular order: checks the local directory, then the Win32 folder, then the PATH variables(Where Python is). In Edit Enviroment variables, did you click edit on the PATH variable and remove Python2.7? Commented Apr 29, 2017 at 0:11
  • @CoolqB, cmd.exe does a custom search that does not check system directories before the PATH directories and also tries appending the extensions in PATHEXT. Stating with Vista, it includes the working directory only if NeedCurrentDirectoryForExePath(name) is true, which depends on the value of the environment variable NoDefaultCurrentDirectoryInExePath. Commented Apr 29, 2017 at 0:22
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    I always recommend to use the python launcher in the Windows command-line py -2 script.py, py -3 script.py or the specific version py -3.6 script.py instead of fiddling with the PATH. As for the Atom problem, there are some other threads on SO: stackoverflow.com/a/36710442/6220679 or this stackoverflow.com/a/42033743/6220679 (try to set it to "py -2") Commented Apr 29, 2017 at 0:25

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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For running Python 3 on your computer from the Command Prompt: enter py -3.6 myfile.py

For running Python 2.7: py -2.7 myfile.py

This also works if you have Python 3.4 and Python 3.6 installed, just change the argument.

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Easy solution. My last installation was python 3.6 (folder name Python36-32). I just changed folder name to something like Python36-32- and now python 2.7 running.

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