NEPTUNIAN ANALYTICS

How to Install Anaconda on Windows

Anaconda is an open-source Python (and R) data science distribution. Downloading Anaconda downloads Python, a suite of scientific computing packages, and the package managers pip and Conda. In addition, Anaconda comes with Anaconda Navigator, a graphical user interface that can manage Python packages without having to use a command-line interface.

Downloading Anaconda is helpful for those who are new to Python and want to use the language for analysis and those who prefer using a GUI to a command-line interface. However, it is essential to note that Anaconda does take up a lot of memory.

Follow the below instructions for how to install Anaconda on Windows.

Installing Anaconda

  • Anaconda can be downloaded here.
  • Download the Windows 64-Bit Graphical Installer.
  • Once you have finished downloading Anaconda open the Anaconda file in your downloads.
  • At first, you will receive a welcome to Anaconda 3 setup; click next to continue.
  • Read the terms of the licencing agreement, and if you are happy, click 'I Agree'.
  • Decide your installation type; you can install for 'Just Me', which will install for the current user account, or 'All Users' which installs for all user accounts. Unless you are using a computer with multiple users and need to install Anaconda for all of them, click 'Just Me' and press next.
  • Choose your install location; the default path is typically C:\Users\YourUsername\anaconda3. You can change this if you would like. However, it would be preferable to keep the default path. Click next.
  • For 'Advanced Installation Options', there will be an option to 'Create start menu shortcuts'; this can allow packages to add a shortcut to the Windows start menu if you would like.
  • There is also the option to add Anaconda3 to your PATH environment variable. It's important to note that with the Graphical Installer you will have a GUI from which to run commands. However, if this is the only Python version you plan to install and you want to be able to access Python from the command-line, check this box. Otherwise, do not.
  • Another advanced installation option is registering Anaconda3 as your default Python 3.x; this option will allow other Python tools to detect Anaconda3 as the primary Python version automatically. However, if you have multiple versions of Python or plan to install multiple versions of Python, do not check this box.
  • The final advanced installation option is to 'Clear the package cache upon completion'; this refers to whether you want to delete the downloaded package files from the cache once the installation is complete.
    • A package cache stores data to help speed up future installations or updates. However, clearing the package cache can help to clear disk space. If you clear the package cache after installation, future installations and updates will download the package archives again.
  • Once you are satisfied with your advanced installation selections, click 'Install'.
  • Once the installation is finished, you should see 'Installation Complete'; click next.
  • Here, you will be informed about Anaconda Notebooks; click next.
  • Finally, you will be greeted with some helpful resources to get you started with Anaconda. Keep the boxes checked if you want to launch those links. Then press finish.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed the tutorial on installing Anaconda on Windows devices. If you are new to Python, check Introduction to Python Course for an introduction to Python programming fundamentals.