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skills/django-setup/platform-install/windows.md

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+# Python Installation - Windows
+
+## Check Current Version
+
+**PowerShell or Command Prompt:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+```
+
+If you see Python 3.11+, you're good to go! [← Back to main skill](../SKILL.md#step-2-create-virtual-environment)
+
+---
+
+## Installation Methods
+
+### Option 1: Official Python Installer (Recommended)
+
+**Why this method:**
+- Official releases from python.org
+- Includes pip automatically
+- Easy installation
+
+**Steps:**
+1. Visit [python.org/downloads](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
+2. Click **"Download Python 3.13.x"** button
+3. Run the downloaded `.exe` installer
+
+**⚠️ CRITICAL: Check "Add Python to PATH"**
+- This checkbox is at the bottom of the installer
+- **Must check this box** or Python won't work from command line
+
+4. Click "Install Now"
+5. Wait for installation to complete
+6. Click "Close"
+
+**Verify installation:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+pip --version
+```
+
+---
+
+### Option 2: Microsoft Store (Windows 10/11)
+
+**Why this method:**
+- Easiest installation
+- Automatic PATH configuration
+- Auto-updates through Microsoft Store
+
+**Steps:**
+1. Open **Microsoft Store** app
+2. Search for "Python 3.13"
+3. Click **"Get"** or **"Install"**
+4. Wait for installation
+5. Restart terminal
+
+**Verify:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+```
+
+---
+
+### Option 3: Chocolatey Package Manager
+
+**Why this method:**
+- Command-line package management (like Homebrew on macOS)
+- Good for automated setups
+- Easy updates: `choco upgrade python`
+
+**Install Chocolatey first:**
+
+Open **PowerShell as Administrator** and run:
+```powershell
+Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))
+```
+
+**Install Python:**
+```powershell
+choco install python --version=3.13.0
+```
+
+**Verify:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+```
+
+---
+
+### Option 4: Scoop Package Manager
+
+**Why this method:**
+- Lightweight package manager
+- No admin rights required
+- Clean installations
+
+**Install Scoop:**
+```powershell
+irm get.scoop.sh | iex
+```
+
+**Install Python:**
+```powershell
+scoop install python
+```
+
+**Verify:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+```
+
+---
+
+## Configure PATH (If Python Not Found)
+
+### Check if Python is in PATH
+
+**Open Command Prompt and run:**
+```cmd
+where python
+```
+
+**If nothing appears, Python is not in PATH.**
+
+### Add Python to PATH Manually
+
+**Find Python installation location:**
+- Official installer: `C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\`
+- Microsoft Store: `C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\`
+
+**Add to PATH:**
+1. Open **Start Menu**
+2. Search "Environment Variables"
+3. Click **"Edit the system environment variables"**
+4. Click **"Environment Variables"** button
+5. Under "User variables", select **"Path"**
+6. Click **"Edit"**
+7. Click **"New"**
+8. Add Python paths:
+   - `C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\`
+   - `C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\Scripts\`
+9. Click **"OK"** on all dialogs
+10. **Restart terminal/PowerShell**
+
+**Verify:**
+```powershell
+python --version
+```
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Issue: `python: command not found`
+
+**Solution 1: Use `py` launcher instead**
+```powershell
+py --version
+py -m venv venv
+```
+
+**Solution 2: Add to PATH** (see section above)
+
+**Solution 3: Reinstall Python**
+- Uninstall current Python
+- Reinstall and **check "Add Python to PATH"**
+
+### Issue: Multiple Python versions installed
+
+**List all versions:**
+```powershell
+py --list
+```
+
+**Use specific version:**
+```powershell
+py -3.13 --version
+py -3.13 -m venv venv
+```
+
+### Issue: PowerShell Execution Policy Error
+
+**When activating venv:**
+```
+venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 : File cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled
+```
+
+**Solution:**
+```powershell
+Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
+```
+
+**Then retry activation:**
+```powershell
+venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
+```
+
+### Issue: `pip` not found
+
+**Use python -m pip instead:**
+```powershell
+python -m pip --version
+python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+```
+
+### Issue: Long path errors
+
+**Enable long paths in Windows:**
+
+Open **PowerShell as Administrator**:
+```powershell
+New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem" -Name "LongPathsEnabled" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force
+```
+
+Restart computer.
+
+---
+
+## Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
+
+**Alternative: Use Linux Python on Windows**
+
+**Install WSL:**
+```powershell
+wsl --install
+```
+
+**Install Ubuntu:**
+```powershell
+wsl --install -d Ubuntu
+```
+
+**Then follow:** [linux-ubuntu.md](linux-ubuntu.md) for Python installation
+
+---
+
+## Verification Checklist
+
+- [ ] `python --version` shows 3.11+ (or `py --version`)
+- [ ] `pip --version` works (or `py -m pip --version`)
+- [ ] `python -m venv test_venv` creates test environment
+- [ ] Can activate test venv: `test_venv\Scripts\activate`
+- [ ] Prompt shows `(test_venv)` prefix
+
+**Clean up test:**
+```powershell
+rmdir /s test_venv
+```
+
+---
+
+## Development Tools (Optional)
+
+**Install Windows Terminal** (better than Command Prompt):
+- Download from Microsoft Store
+- Or: https://aka.ms/terminal
+
+**Install Git for Windows:**
+- Download from: https://git-scm.com/download/win
+
+**Install VS Code:**
+- Download from: https://code.visualstudio.com/
+
+---
+
+[← Back to django-project-setup](../SKILL.md)