Installing Python

The scripts will run on Mac/Linux/Windows. Each of those operating systems requires different steps to install Python, pip, and the script. All three operating systems are covered below.

Windows 10 and Windows 11

If you haven't done any Python development on your Windows machine, it won't have Python or Git installed. Python is the language the scripts are written in and Git is the industry standard version control system for NetDevOps. Follow the instructions below to install both packages.

Installing Python on Windows is simple.

Note

Select "Install for all users" during the installation. If you don't select the all users option, only the user account that did the installation will have access.

Open the Edge browser
Go to the Python download Page
Click on the button for Python 3.14.2 (or the latest version)
Select Open File so that the install starts when the download finishes.

Custom settings

Check the boxes for documentation, pip, py launcher and for all users (requires admin privileges). If you don't select the all users option, only the user account that did the installation will have access to run the scripts. If you plan to write Python scripts, check the Tcl/Tk, turtle, IDLE box and the Python test suite boxes.

screenshot

Click next, on this dialog check the check "Add Python to environment variables"

For the path I recommend changing it to c:\python3.14. I like to start the script using a batch file and having a space in the path is a pain to deal with.

screenshot

Click Install to finish the installation.

You can use where python from a cmd terminal to verify that Python is installed.

where python

Command Output

C:\python3.14\python.exe

You can also use the GUI tool Add or Remove Programs to verify Python is installed.

To verify that pip is installed use:

pip --version

Test the Python installation on Windows

type python

You should see something like this:

Command Output

Python 3.14.2 (tags/v3.14.2:df79316, Dec  5 2025, 17:18:21) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

To quit Python, type:

quit()

Updating Python on Windows

Python doesn't get updated when you run Windows Update. You will need to go back to the Python Download Page and download the latest version.

When you launch the installer:

✔ If you want to upgrade in place The installer will detect your existing version and offer “Upgrade Now” (for minor versions, e.g., 3.11 → 3.11.x).

✔ If you’re installing a new major version (e.g., 3.10 → 3.12), Python installs side‑by‑side. This is normal and expected. You’ll have multiple versions available, and the py launcher lets you choose which one to run.

Run these commands to update the Python Packages that are installed:

python -m pip list --outdated
python -m pip install --upgrade [package-name]

Install Git on Windows

If you are on Windows and don't have git installed, use

winget install --id Git.Git -e --source winget

from cmd or PowerShell to install Git.

WinGet, also known as the Windows Package Manager, is pre-installed on Windows 11 versions 21H2 and later. If you don't have Winget installed, you can install it using these steps:

Type Microsoft Store in the Windows search bar, and press Enter
Search for App Installer
Click on Get

Or you can install the git package from The Official Git Page. It seems better to use the Microsoft Store, but I'm not a Windows expert.

Install on macOS

Apple provides a package called xcode-select that's full of developer tools like Python, git, and gcc (Gnu C Compiler), etc. To install xcode-select:

Open a terminal ( + spacebar)
Type xcode-select --install
Press [enter]

You can list the tools using

ls /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/

You now have Python, git, venv, and many other dev tools.

Ubuntu 24.04 or higher

Ubuntu comes with Python installed. We only need to install git to clone the repository.

sudo apt install git -y