Install ‐ WINDOWS ‐ Python C & SDK Requirements
To use certain Python packages on Windows, you need to install some extra tools as detailed on the Python website here. These tools help Python build (compile) packages that need it. Here's how to install these tools:
- Go to the Visual Studio downloads page: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/
- Look for "Visual Studio 2022" under the "Community" edition.
- Click the "Free download" button under Visual Studio Community 2022.
- Your browser will download a file named something like "VisualStudioSetup.exe".
- Find the "VisualStudioSetup.exe" file you just downloaded (usually in your Downloads folder).
- Double-click this file to run it.
- If you see a message asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?", click "Yes".
- Wait while the installer prepares. This might take a few minutes.
- When the Visual Studio Installer window appears, stay on the "Workloads" tab.
- Scroll down this list until you find "Desktop development with C++".
- Click the checkbox next to "Desktop development with C++".
- On the right side of the window, you'll see a list of optional components.
- Make sure these two items are checked:
- "MSVC v143 - VS 2022 C++ x64/x86 build tools"
- "Windows 10 SDK" or "Windows 11 SDK" (depending on your version of Windows)
- You can uncheck all the other options to save disk space if you want.
- At the bottom right of the window, you'll see how much disk space this will use (usually between 5-7 GB).
- If you're okay with this, click the "Install" button at the bottom right.
- Wait while the tools install. This could take 10-20 minutes or more, depending on your internet speed and computer.
- You might see a message asking you to restart your computer. If so, save any work you have open and click "Restart".
- When it's all done, you'll see a message saying the installation is complete.