Beginner’s Guide: Installing Python and VS Code

Me Me Khaing
June 10, 2026

Contents
1 Introduction 2

2 Step 1: Installing Python 2

3 Step 2: Installing Visual Studio Code 3

4 Step 3: Setting Up the Python Extension 7

5 Step 4: Writing Your First Script 8

6 Troubleshooting for Beginners 9

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1 Introduction
Welcome! This guide will help you set up your Python development environment using
Visual Studio Code (VS Code). We will cover downloading Python, installing the editor,
and running your first script.

2 Step 1: Installing Python

Python is the engine that runs your code. It is essential to follow the installation steps
carefully, especially the ”PATH” setting.

1. Go to the official website: [Link]/downloads.

2. Click the button to download the latest version for your operating system.

Figure 1: Download latest version.

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 3. CRITICAL STEP: When the installer opens, check the box that says ”Add Python
to PATH”. If you miss this, VS Code won’t be able to find Python.

Figure 2: Ensure the ”Add Python to PATH” checkbox is ticked.

3 Step 2: Installing Visual Studio Code

VS Code is the ”text editor” where you will write your code.

1. Visit [Link].

2. Download and run the installer for your OS (Windows/Mac/Linux).

3. Follow the prompts, keeping the default settings according to below figures.

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 Figure 3: Download user installer.

Find the downloaded file under downloads menu in your system (generally) and double
click (sometimes only single click) on the downloaded file. After that choose accept option.

Figure 4: choose accept option.

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 You can browse whatever you want to set up but default path will be better and then
click Next according to Figure 5.
Click Next that shown in Figure 6 and read if you want to select different folder , you can

Figure 5: Set up.

use browse button, otherwise do click Next.

Figure 6: Vscodeshortcut.

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 Figure 7: Additional Tasks.

When you see Figure 7 , check all the check box if you are first user of VS code.
When you see Figure 8, click Install button.

Figure 8: Installation.

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 Figure 9: Installation 1.

You will see installation step like Figure 9, then wait a moment to finish.
When you see Figure 10 on your system click Finish.

Figure 10: Finish.

4 Step 3: Setting Up the Python Extension

VS Code needs an ”Extension” to understand and run Python code.
1. Open VS Code.
2. Click the Extensions icon on the left sidebar (it looks like four squares).
3. Search for ”Python”.
4. Click Install on the extension published by Microsoft.

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Figure 11: The Extensions view in VS Code. Look for the Python extension by Microsoft.

5 Step 4: Writing Your First Script

Before doing anythin in vs code, please do create folder first for your habit to do store or
save your code like .py file.
• Go directory in your system whatever you want to create folder and create a folder
and give the appropriate name for that folder.
• Open VS code and File > Open folder.
• Select the folder that you will save your python file
Let’s test if everything is working correctly after opening folder.
1. On that folder, click File > New File and name it [Link].
2. Type the following code:

3. Look at the bottom-right corner of VS Code. It should show your Python version (e.g.,
”Python 3.13 or something”). If it says ”Select Interpreter,” click it and choose the
Python version you installed.
4. Click the Play button in the top-right corner to run the script.

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 Figure 12: The output should appear in the Terminal at the bottom of the screen.

6 Troubleshooting for Beginners

• ”Python is not recognized”: This usually means you didn’t check the ”Add to
PATH” box. Uninstall Python and reinstall it, making sure that box is checked.

• Extension not working: Try restarting VS Code after installing the Python exten-
sion.

• Which version? Always download the ”Stable” version from the websites.