Change Default Version Of Python From 32bit To 64bit

I am attempting to switch over my default python.exe from 32bit to 64bit. the first time i downloaded and installed python i downloaded the 32bit version. I later found in the proj

Solution 1:

update -- I found a quick fix for this: this solution will not work if you want to keep both versions and interchange them. but if you only need one, simply uninstall both (Start clean) and then install the version you want to be defaulted first.

simple answer:

make sure you install the bit version you want first.

If you have already installed the 32bit version and want to switch to 64bit version then simply uninstall the 32bit version first then install the 64bit version. Not sure if it was required but i also restarted the pc.

Solution 2:

For me it was the other way around: I installed the 64bit version first and then the 32bit version but it still defaulted to the 32bit one.

There is a way to fix this and keep both versions, at least for Windows 10:

Both versions should have created two entries each in the PATH environment variable, with Python 3.9.1 they look like this for me:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Python\Python39-32\C:\Program Files (x86)\Python\Python39-32\Scripts\C:\Program Files\Python\Python39\C:\Program Files\Python\Python39\Scripts\

It seems like whatever is at the top of the list is used first, so simply use the "Move Up" button to move the 64bit above the 32bit version. Afterwards it should default to the 64bit version.

You can still use the 32bit version with:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Python\Python39-32\python.exe" somecommand

The quotes are required because of the spaces in the path.