How to open PY files on a Windows 10/11 PC

Python is an interpreted programming language that some programmers develop software with. PY is the file format for Python scripts.

PY scripts can also have alternative file extensions, which include PYC, PYD, and PWC. The scripts are text files, but you’ll need a Python interpreter to run a PY script in Windows.

What can I use to open PY files?

Programmers can edit Python scripts with numerous software. In fact, you can even edit a PY script in Notepad.

There are also various Python editors that you can open scripts with. Those are otherwise IDE editors designed for Python scripting.

PyScripter, PyDev, and PyCharm are three open-source IDE software you can open your PY files with.

IDEs are probably better software for Python coding than Notepad++ as they also include debug tools and integrated interpreters.

We will show you in the guides below what and how to use to open PY files using different methods.

How can I open .py files on Windows 10?

1. Open Python Scripts with File Viewer Plus

You can open PY and many other source code files with File Viewer Plus. This is a universal file viewer for Windows that can open and display over 300 different file types, view, and edit source code files.

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2. Open PY files with CPhyton Interpreter

1. Download a CPython interpreter. Press the Download Python 3.6.2 button to save one of the more updated interpreters to Windows.
2. Open the Win + X menu by pressing the Win key + X hotkey.
3. Select Command Prompt (Admin) to open the CP’s window.
4. Open the folder that includes your Python script in the Command Prompt by entering ‘Cd’ followed by the path of the file.
5. Next, enter the full path of the CPython interpreter followed by the full location of the PY file in the Command Prompt, which must include the Python interpreter exe and PY file title. For example, you might enter something like this: C:Python27python.exe C:User FolderPY Files SubfolderPy file title.PY
6. Press Enter to open and run the PY script.

Text editors are fine for editing files, but you’ll need a Python interpreter to open and run the PY scripts. Some interpreters come bundled with IDE Python software.

However, CPython, otherwise the reference implementation, is the default interpreter for the programming language. Use the above steps to open PY scripts with that interpreter.

3. Open PY file in Notepad ++

 You can easily open PY files in Notepad ++. It is a third-party text editor that supports the PY file format. You can add Notepad++ to most Windows platforms.

Note that this software has 32 and 64-bit versions. The 64-bit versions don’t work on 32-bit systems.

1. Right click the Start button and select System to open the window in the snapshot directly below. Check what System type you have.

2. Download Notepad +++. You need to choose the correct version for your System (Notepad++ Installer 32-bit x86 (32-bit) or Notepad++ Installer 64-bit x64 (64-bit)).

3. After you download the setup wizard with which you can install the software, double-click on it to start the installation.

4. When Notepad +++ finished installing, open the application.

5. Go to File > Open.

6. Select the PY file that you want to open from your computer.

7. Notepad +++ will open the file.

So, you can edit and run PY files with text editors, IDE software, and Python interpreters.

You can also convert PY script files to Portable Document Format with the freeware PDF24 Creator software. Chances are to find PDF24 as being simply perfect for what you need.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.