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Installing Miniforge on Windows

Miniforge is a lightweight Python distribution available for all operating systems. It is free to use, requires a minimal amount of software setup, and has a community-driven package repository.

Installation

  1. Visit the conda-forge website and click on the “Download Installer” button.

Screenshot of the Miniforge "Download Installer" webpage.

  1. Select the Windows installer option.

Selecting the Windows OS installer package.

  1. Click the Next > button once the installer is open.

Main Miniforge installer prompt.

  1. Click the I Agree button on the “License Agreement” screen.

License agreement page for Miniforge.

  1. Make sure Just Me (recommended) is selected on the “Select Installation Type” screen. Then click the Next > button.

"Select Installation Type" screen for the Miniforge installer.

  1. Leave the default location and click Next > on the “Choose Install Location” screen.

"Choose Install Location" screen in the Miniforge installer. Use the default setting.

  1. Ensure Register Miniforge3 as my default Python is checked on the “Advanced Installation Options” screen. Then click “Install”.

Selecting to register Miniforge as the default Python software. Useful for running Python in VS Code.

  1. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.

Waiting for the installer to complete.

  1. Click “Finish” to close the installer.

A completed Miniforge installation.

Verifying the installation

  1. Open the Start Menu and type Miniforge Prompt. Click on it to open the Miniforge terminal.

Windows Start Menu with MiniForge Prompt selected.

  1. You should see a prompt like:

(base) C:\Users\YourName>

Finished!

Return back to the Getting Started with Python lesson to continue configuring your computer for Python programming.