How to Check if Python is Installed and Get Its Version in Batch Script

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

echo [PROCESS] Checking if Python is in the PATH...

:: Try the standard python command first
where python >nul 2>&1

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    :: Verify it is a real Python and not the Microsoft Store stub
    for /f "tokens=*" %%v in ('python --version 2^>^&1') do set "PY_OUT=%%v"
    echo !PY_OUT! | findstr /i "Python" >nul
    if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
        echo [SUCCESS] !PY_OUT!
    ) else (
        echo [WARNING] 'python' exists but may be the Microsoft Store stub.
        goto :trylauncher
    )
) else (
    :trylauncher
    echo [INFO] 'python' command not found. Checking 'py' launcher...
    where py >nul 2>&1
    if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
        for /f "tokens=*" %%v in ('py --version 2^>^&1') do set "PY_OUT=%%v"
        echo [SUCCESS] Python Launcher detected: !PY_OUT!
    ) else (
        echo [ERROR] Python not found. Install from https://www.python.org
    )
)
pause

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

echo ============================================================
echo   Python Version Check and Validation
echo ============================================================
echo.
echo Computer: %COMPUTERNAME%
echo Date:     %date% %time%
echo.
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 1: Python Installation
:: ============================================================

echo [1/3] Checking if Python is installed...
echo.

where python >nul 2>&1

if !errorlevel! neq 0 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   CRITICAL: Python NOT FOUND
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo [ERROR] Python is NOT installed or NOT in the system PATH
    echo.
    echo What this means:
    echo   - Python executable not found in PATH
    echo   - Python may not be installed
    echo   - Python installation may not have added to PATH
    echo.
    echo Action Required:
    echo   1. Download Python from: https://www.python.org/downloads/
    echo   2. During installation, check "Add Python to PATH"
    echo   3. Or manually add Python to system PATH
    echo.
    pause
    exit /b 1
)

echo [OK] Python found in PATH
echo.

:: Get Python location
for /f "delims=" %%p in ('where python 2^>nul') do (
    echo Location: %%p
    goto :PythonFound
)
:PythonFound

echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 2: Version Detection
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   [2/3] Detecting Python Version
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: Get the full version string
:: Python 3.4+ outputs to stdout, older versions to stderr
set "P_VER="
for /f "tokens=2 delims= " %%v in ('python --version 2^>^&1') do (
    set "P_VER=%%v"
    goto :VersionFound
)

:VersionFound

if not defined P_VER (
    echo [ERROR] Could not detect Python version
    echo.
    echo Troubleshooting:
    echo   - Try: python --version
    echo   - Check if Python is correctly installed
    echo.
    pause
    exit /b 1
)

echo Detected Version: !P_VER!
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 3: Version Parsing and Validation
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   [3/3] Version Analysis
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: Extract major, minor, and patch versions
set "MAJOR="
set "MINOR="
set "PATCH="

for /f "tokens=1,2,3 delims=." %%a in ("!P_VER!") do (
    set "MAJOR=%%a"
    set "MINOR=%%b"
    set "PATCH=%%c"
)

if not defined MAJOR (
    echo [ERROR] Could not parse version number
    pause
    exit /b 1
)

echo Version Components:
echo   Major:  !MAJOR!
echo   Minor:  !MINOR!
echo   Patch:  !PATCH!
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Version Validation
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Compatibility Assessment
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: Define minimum requirements
set "MIN_MAJOR=3"
set "MIN_MINOR=8"

if !MAJOR! equ 3 (
    echo [INFO] Python 3.x detected
    echo.
    
    :: Check for minimum minor version
    if !MINOR! geq !MIN_MINOR! (
        echo ============================================================
        echo   RESULT: COMPATIBLE
        echo ============================================================
        echo.
        echo [SUCCESS] Python !P_VER! meets requirements
        echo.
        echo   Required:  Python !MIN_MAJOR!.!MIN_MINOR!+
        echo   Installed: Python !P_VER!
        echo.
        echo Status: Ready for modern Python development
        echo.
        set "ExitCode=0"
        
    ) else (
        echo ============================================================
        echo   RESULT: VERSION TOO OLD
        echo ============================================================
        echo.
        echo [WARNING] Python !P_VER! is below recommended version
        echo.
        echo   Required:     Python !MIN_MAJOR!.!MIN_MINOR!+
        echo   Installed:    Python !P_VER!
        echo   Minimum Met:  NO
        echo.
        echo Impact:
        echo   - Some modern libraries may not work
        echo   - Security updates may not be available
        echo   - Missing language features (e.g., f-strings, walrus operator^)
        echo.
        echo Recommendation:
        echo   Upgrade to Python 3.!MIN_MINOR! or higher
        echo   Download: https://www.python.org/downloads/
        echo.
        set "ExitCode=1"
    )
    
) else if !MAJOR! equ 2 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   RESULT: LEGACY VERSION (UNSUPPORTED^)
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo [CRITICAL] Python 2.x detected
    echo.
    echo   Installed: Python !P_VER!
    echo   EOL Date:  January 1, 2020
    echo.
    echo Critical Issues:
    echo   - Python 2 is no longer supported
    echo   - No security updates since 2020
    echo   - Most libraries have dropped Python 2 support
    echo   - Modern scripts WILL FAIL
    echo.
    echo Action Required:
    echo   Upgrade to Python 3.!MIN_MINOR! or higher immediately
    echo   Download: https://www.python.org/downloads/
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=2"
    
) else if !MAJOR! geq 4 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   RESULT: FUTURE VERSION
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo [INFO] Python !MAJOR!.x detected
    echo.
    echo This is a future or experimental version.
    echo Compatibility is unknown.
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=0"
    
) else (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   RESULT: UNKNOWN VERSION
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo [ERROR] Could not determine Python version compatibility
    echo.
    echo Detected: Python !P_VER!
    echo.
    set "ExitCode=3"
)

echo ============================================================
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Additional Information
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Additional Information
echo ============================================================
echo.

:: Check pip
echo Pip Status:
where pip >nul 2>&1
if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    for /f "tokens=2" %%v in ('pip --version 2^>nul ^| findstr "pip"') do (
        echo   [OK] pip %%v installed
    )
) else (
    echo   [WARNING] pip not found
    echo   Install: python -m ensurepip --upgrade
)

echo.

:: Check virtual environment capability
echo Virtual Environment:
python -m venv --help >nul 2>&1
if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    echo   [OK] venv module available
) else (
    echo   [WARNING] venv module not available
)

echo.
echo ============================================================
echo.

pause
endlocal
exit /b !ExitCode!

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

echo ============================================================
echo   Python Installation Locator
echo ============================================================
echo.
echo Computer: %COMPUTERNAME%
echo Date:     %date% %time%
echo.
echo ============================================================
echo.

echo [SCAN] Searching for Python executables in PATH...
echo.

:: ============================================================
:: Check 1: Python Command
:: ============================================================

set "PythonFound=0"
set "PythonPath="
set "PythonCount=0"

where python 2>nul

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    echo.
    echo [OK] Python found in PATH
    echo.
    
    :: Get all Python locations
    echo Python Installations:
    for /f "delims=" %%p in ('where python 2^>nul') do (
        set /a PythonCount+=1
        echo   [!PythonCount!] %%p
        
        :: Store first path
        if not defined PythonPath set "PythonPath=%%p"
        
        :: Get version for this installation
        for /f "tokens=2" %%v in ('"%%p" --version 2^>^&1') do (
            echo       Version: %%v
        )
        echo.
    )
    
    set "PythonFound=1"
) else (
    echo [NOT FOUND] Python is not in the system PATH
    echo.
)

:: ============================================================
:: Check 2: Python Launcher (py.exe)
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Python Launcher Check
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "PyLauncherFound=0"
set "PyLauncherPath="

where py 2>nul

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    echo.
    echo [OK] Python Launcher found
    echo.
    
    for /f "delims=" %%p in ('where py 2^>nul') do (
        echo Location: %%p
        set "PyLauncherPath=%%p"
        goto :PyFound
    )
    :PyFound
    
    echo.
    
    :: List available Python versions via launcher
    echo Available Python versions (via launcher^):
    py --list 2>nul
    if !errorlevel! neq 0 (
        echo   (Could not list versions^)
    )
    echo.
    
    set "PyLauncherFound=1"
) else (
    echo [NOT FOUND] Python Launcher (py.exe^) not found
    echo.
)

:: ============================================================
:: Check 3: Pip Location
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Package Manager (pip) Location
echo ============================================================
echo.

set "PipFound=0"
set "PipPath="

where pip 2>nul

if !errorlevel! equ 0 (
    echo.
    echo [OK] pip found in PATH
    echo.
    
    for /f "delims=" %%p in ('where pip 2^>nul') do (
        echo Location: %%p
        set "PipPath=%%p"
        
        :: Get pip version
        for /f "tokens=2" %%v in ('"%%p" --version 2^>nul ^| findstr "pip"') do (
            echo Version:  %%v
        )
        goto :PipFound
    )
    :PipFound
    echo.
    
    set "PipFound=1"
) else (
    echo [NOT FOUND] pip not in PATH
    echo.
)

:: ============================================================
:: Derive Scripts and Site-Packages Paths
:: ============================================================

if defined PythonPath (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Derived Paths (from primary Python installation^)
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    
    :: Extract directory from python.exe path
    for %%p in ("!PythonPath!") do set "PythonDir=%%~dpp"
    
    echo Python Directory:
    echo   !PythonDir!
    echo.
    
    :: Scripts folder
    set "ScriptsDir=!PythonDir!Scripts\"
    if exist "!ScriptsDir!" (
        echo Scripts Directory: [EXISTS]
        echo   !ScriptsDir!
        echo.
        echo   Common executables in Scripts:
        if exist "!ScriptsDir!pip.exe" echo     - pip.exe
        if exist "!ScriptsDir!virtualenv.exe" echo     - virtualenv.exe
        if exist "!ScriptsDir!pytest.exe" echo     - pytest.exe
    ) else (
        echo Scripts Directory: [NOT FOUND]
        echo   Expected: !ScriptsDir!
    )
    echo.
    
    :: Get site-packages location via Python
    echo Site-Packages Directory:
    for /f "delims=" %%s in (
        '"!PythonPath!" -c "import site; print(site.getsitepackages()[0])" 2^>nul'
    ) do (
        echo   %%s
        
        if exist "%%s" (
            echo   Status: [EXISTS]
            
            :: Count installed packages
            set "PkgCount=0"
            for /d %%d in ("%%s\*") do set /a PkgCount+=1
            echo   Packages: ~!PkgCount! installed
        )
    )
    echo.
)

:: ============================================================
:: Summary and Recommendations
:: ============================================================

echo ============================================================
echo   Summary
echo ============================================================
echo.

echo Installation Status:
if !PythonFound! equ 1 (
    echo   [OK] Python:           Found (!PythonCount! installation(s^)^)
) else (
    echo   [KO] Python:           Not in PATH
)

if !PyLauncherFound! equ 1 (
    echo   [OK] Python Launcher:  Found
) else (
    echo   [..] Python Launcher:  Not found (optional^)
)

if !PipFound! equ 1 (
    echo   [OK] pip:              Found
) else (
    echo   [KO] pip:              Not in PATH
)

echo.

:: Recommendations
if !PythonFound! equ 0 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Recommendations
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo Python is not in the system PATH.
    echo.
    echo Possible causes:
    echo   - Python is not installed
    echo   - Python was installed without "Add to PATH" option
    echo   - Python is installed in a custom location
    echo.
    echo Solutions:
    echo.
    echo   1. Install Python and check "Add Python to PATH":
    echo      https://www.python.org/downloads/
    echo.
    echo   2. Manually add Python to PATH:
    echo      a. Find Python installation directory
    echo      b. Add to System Environment Variables
    echo      c. Add both Python directory AND Scripts directory
    echo.
    echo   3. Use Python Launcher (py.exe^) if available:
    if !PyLauncherFound! equ 1 (
        echo      py --version
        echo      py -m pip install [package]
    ) else (
        echo      (Python Launcher not found^)
    )
    echo.
    
) else if !PipFound! equ 0 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Recommendations
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo pip is not in PATH but Python is installed.
    echo.
    echo Solutions:
    echo.
    echo   1. Add Scripts directory to PATH:
    if defined ScriptsDir (
        echo      !ScriptsDir!
    )
    echo.
    echo   2. Use pip via Python module:
    echo      python -m pip install [package]
    echo.
    echo   3. Reinstall/upgrade pip:
    echo      python -m ensurepip --upgrade
    echo.
    
) else if !PythonCount! gtr 1 (
    echo ============================================================
    echo   Note
    echo ============================================================
    echo.
    echo Multiple Python installations detected (!PythonCount!^).
    echo.
    echo This can cause confusion about which Python is being used.
    echo.
    echo Recommendation:
    echo   - Use Python Launcher (py.exe^) to specify version:
    echo     py -3.10 script.py
    echo     py -3.11 -m pip install package
    echo.
    echo   - Or use full paths to specific Python versions
    echo.
)

echo ============================================================
echo.

pause
endlocal
exit /b 0

for /f ... in ('python --version')
:: This only tells you which one is "First" in the PATH.