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authorSteve Dower <steve.dower@microsoft.com>2015-02-06 06:08:48 (GMT)
committerSteve Dower <steve.dower@microsoft.com>2015-02-06 06:08:48 (GMT)
commitbb24087a2cbfb186b540cc71a74ec8c39c1ebe3a (patch)
tree3b586e72b5744c4076a222e8f803a00d17b5f20f /Doc/using
parent7425f36ee74ccf5bfc2894aca6e6b86815894f98 (diff)
downloadcpython-bb24087a2cbfb186b540cc71a74ec8c39c1ebe3a.zip
cpython-bb24087a2cbfb186b540cc71a74ec8c39c1ebe3a.tar.gz
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Issue #23260: Update Windows installer
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--- a/Doc/using/windows.rst
+++ b/Doc/using/windows.rst
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
*************************
.. sectionauthor:: Robert Lehmann <lehmannro@gmail.com>
+.. sectionauthor:: Steve Dower <steve.dower@microsoft.com>
This document aims to give an overview of Windows-specific behaviour you should
know about when using Python on Microsoft Windows.
@@ -19,10 +20,172 @@ know about when using Python on Microsoft Windows.
Installing Python
=================
-Unlike most Unix systems and services, Windows does not require Python natively
-and thus does not pre-install a version of Python. However, the CPython team
+Unlike most Unix systems and services, Windows does not include a system
+supported installation of Python. To make Python available, the CPython team
has compiled Windows installers (MSI packages) with every `release
-<https://www.python.org/download/releases/>`_ for many years.
+<https://www.python.org/download/releases/>`_ for many years. These installers
+are primarily intended to add a system-wide installation of Python, with the
+core interpreter and library being shared by all application. Non-shared
+layouts of the Python interpreter may also be created with the same installer,
+however, the released installer is not intended for embedding in other
+installers.
+
+Installation Steps
+------------------
+
+Four Python 3.5 installers are available for download - two each for the 32-bit
+and 64-bit versions of the interpreter. The *web installer* is a small initial
+download, and it will automatically download the required components as
+necessary. The *offline installer* includes the components necessary for a
+default installation and only requires an internet connection for optional
+features. See :ref:`install-layout-option` for other ways to avoid downloading
+during installation.
+
+After starting the installer, one of three options may be selected:
+
+.. image:: win_installer.png
+
+If you select "Install for All Users":
+
+* You may be required to provide administrative credentials or approval
+* Python will be installed into your Program Files directory
+* The :ref:`launcher` will be installed into your Windows directory
+* The standard library, test suite, launcher and pip will be installed
+* After installation, the standard library will be pre-compiled to bytecode
+* If selected, the install directory will be added to :envvar:`PATH`
+
+If you select "Install Just for Me":
+
+* You will *not* need to be an administrator
+* Python will be installed into your user directory
+* The :ref:`launcher` will *also* be installed into your user directory
+* The standard library, test suite, launcher and pip will be installed
+* If selected, the install directory will be added to :envvar:`PATH`
+
+Selecting "Customize installation" will allow you to select the features to
+install, the installation location and other options or post-install actions.
+To install debugging symbols or binaries, you will need to use this option.
+
+.. _install-quiet-option:
+
+Installing Without UI
+---------------------
+
+All of the options available in the installer UI can also be specified from the
+command line, allowing scripted installers to replicate an installation on many
+machines without user interaction. These options may also be set without
+suppressing the UI in order to change some of the defaults.
+
+To completely hide the installer UI and install Python silently, pass the
+``/quiet`` (``/q``) option. To skip past the user interaction but still display
+progress and errors, pass the ``/passive`` (``/p``) option. The ``/uninstall``
+option may be passed to immediately begin removing Python - no prompt will be
+displayed.
+
+All other options are passed as ``name=value``, where the value is usually
+``0`` to disable a feature, ``1`` to enable a feature, or a path. The full list
+of available options is shown below.
+
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Name | Description | Default |
++===========================+======================================+==========================+
+| InstallAllUsers | Perform a system-wide installation. | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| TargetDir | The installation directory | Selected based on |
+| | | InstallAllUsers |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| DefaultAllUsersTargetDir | The default installation directory | :file:`%ProgramFiles%\\\ |
+| | for all-user installs | Python X.Y` or :file:`\ |
+| | | %ProgramFiles(x86)%\\\ |
+| | | Python X.Y` |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| DefaultJustForMeTargetDir | The default install directory for | :file:`%LocalAppData%\\\ |
+| | just-for-me installs | Programs\\PythonXY` or |
+| | | :file:`%LocalAppData%\\\ |
+| | | Programs\\PythonXY-32` |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| DefaultCustomTargetDir | The default custom install directory | (empty) |
+| | displayed in the UI | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| AssociateFiles | Create file associations if the | 1 |
+| | launcher is also installed. | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| CompileAll | Compile all ``.py`` files to | 0 |
+| | ``.pyc`` and ``.pyo``. | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| PrependPath | Add install and Scripts directories | 0 |
+| | tho :envvar:`PATH` and ``.PY`` to | |
+| | :envvar:`PATHEXT` | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_doc | Install Python manual | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_debug | Install debug binaries | 0 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_dev | Install developer headers and | 1 |
+| | libraries | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_exe | Install :file:`python.exe` and | 1 |
+| | related files | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_launcher | Install :ref:`launcher`. | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_lib | Install standard library and | 1 |
+| | extension modules | |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_pip | Install bundled pip and setuptools | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_symbols | Install debugging symbols (`*`.pdb) | 0 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_tcltk | Install Tcl/Tk support and IDLE | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_test | Install standard library test suite | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| Include_tools | Install utility scripts | 1 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+| SimpleInstall | Disable most install UI | 0 |
++---------------------------+--------------------------------------+--------------------------+
+
+For example, to silently install a default, system-wide Python installation,
+you could use the following command (from an elevated command prompt)::
+
+ python-3.5.0.exe /quiet InstallAllUsers=1 PrependPath=1 Include_test=0
+
+To allow users to easily install a personal copy of Python without the test
+suite, you could provide a shortcut with the following command::
+
+ python-3.5.0.exe /passive InstallAllUsers=0 Include_launcher=0 Include_test=0 SimpleInstall=1
+
+(Note that omitting the launcher also omits file associations, and is only
+recommended for per-user installs when there is also a system-wide installation
+that included the launcher.)
+
+.. _install-layout-option:
+
+Installing Without Downloading
+------------------------------
+
+As some features of Python are not included in the initial installer download,
+selecting those features may require an internet connection. To avoid this
+need, all possible components may be downloaded on-demand to create a complete
+*layout* that will no longer require an internet connection regardless of the
+selected features. Note that this download may be bigger than required, but
+where a large number of installations are going to be performed it is very
+useful to have a locally cached copy.
+
+Execute the following command from Command Prompt to download all possible
+required files. Remember to substitute ``python-3.5.0.exe`` for the actual
+name of your installer, and to create layouts in their own directories to
+avoid collisions between files with the same name.
+
+::
+
+ python-3.5.0.exe /layout [optional target directory]
+
+You may also specify the ``/quiet`` option to hide the progress display.
+
+
+Other Platforms
+---------------
With ongoing development of Python, some platforms that used to be supported
earlier are no longer supported (due to the lack of users or developers).
@@ -66,19 +229,31 @@ key features:
`ActivePython <http://www.activestate.com/activepython/>`_
Installer with multi-platform compatibility, documentation, PyWin32
-`Enthought Python Distribution <https://www.enthought.com/products/epd/>`_
- Popular modules (such as PyWin32) with their respective documentation, tool
- suite for building extensible Python applications
+`Anaconda <http://www.continuum.io/downloads/>`_
+ Popular scientific modules (such as numpy, scipy and pandas) and the
+ ``conda`` package manager.
+
+`Canopy <https://www.enthought.com/products/canopy/>`_
+ A "comprehensive Python analysis environment" with editors and other
+ development tools.
-Notice that these packages are likely to install *older* versions of Python.
+`WinPython <https://winpython.github.io/>`_
+ Windows-specific distribution with prebuilt scientific packages and
+ tools for building packages.
+
+Note that these packages may not include the latest versions of Python or
+other libraries, and are not maintained or supported by the core Python team.
Configuring Python
==================
-In order to run Python flawlessly, you might have to change certain environment
-settings in Windows.
+To run Python conveniently from a command prompt, you might consider changing
+some default environment variables in Windows. While the installer provides an
+option to configure the PATH and PATHEXT variables for you, this is only
+reliable for a single, system-wide installation. If you regularly use multiple
+versions of Python, consider using the :ref:`launcher`.
.. _setting-envvars:
@@ -86,163 +261,86 @@ settings in Windows.
Excursus: Setting environment variables
---------------------------------------
-Windows has a built-in dialog for changing environment variables (following
-guide applies to XP classical view): Right-click the icon for your machine
-(usually located on your Desktop and called "My Computer") and choose
-:menuselection:`Properties` there. Then, open the :guilabel:`Advanced` tab
-and click the :guilabel:`Environment Variables` button.
+Windows allows environment variables to be configured permanently at both the
+User level and the System level, or temporarily in a command prompt.
+
+To temporarily set environment variables, open Command Prompt and use the
+:command:`set` command::
-In short, your path is:
+ C:\>set PATH=C:\Program Files\Python 3.5;%PATH%
+ C:\>set PYTHONPATH=%PYTHONPATH%;C:\My_python_lib
+ C:\>python
- :menuselection:`My Computer
- --> Properties
- --> Advanced
- --> Environment Variables`
+These changes will apply to any further commands executed in that console, and
+will be inherited by any applications started from the console.
+Including the variable name within percent signs will expand to the existing
+value, allowing you to add your new value at either the start or the end.
+Modifying :envvar:`PATH` by adding the directory containing
+:program:`python.exe` to the start is a common way to ensure the correct version
+of Python is launched.
+
+To permanently modify the default environment variables, click Start and search
+for 'edit environment variables', or open System properties, :guilabel:`Advanced
+system settings` and click the :guilabel:`Environment Variables` button.
In this dialog, you can add or modify User and System variables. To change
System variables, you need non-restricted access to your machine
(i.e. Administrator rights).
-Another way of adding variables to your environment is using the :command:`set`
-command::
-
- set PYTHONPATH=%PYTHONPATH%;C:\My_python_lib
-
-To make this setting permanent, you could add the corresponding command line to
-your :file:`autoexec.bat`. :program:`msconfig` is a graphical interface to this
-file.
+.. note::
-Viewing environment variables can also be done more straight-forward: The
-command prompt will expand strings wrapped into percent signs automatically::
+ Windows will concatenate User variables *after* System variables, which may
+ cause unexpected results when modifying :envvar:`PATH`.
- echo %PATH%
-
-Consult :command:`set /?` for details on this behaviour.
+ The :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` variable is used by all versions of Python 2 and
+ Python 3, so you should not permanently configure this variable unless it
+ only includes code that is compatible all of your installed Python
+ versions.
.. seealso::
- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100843
+ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100843
Environment variables in Windows NT
- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310519
+ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754250.aspx
+ The SET command, for temporarily modifying environment variables
+
+ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755104.aspx
+ The SETX command, for permanently modifying environment variables
+
+ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310519
How To Manage Environment Variables in Windows XP
- http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/~louis/software/faq/q1.html
+ http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/~louis/software/faq/q1.html
Setting Environment variables, Louis J. Farrugia
-
.. _windows-path-mod:
Finding the Python executable
-----------------------------
-.. versionchanged:: 3.3
+.. versionchanged:: 3.5
Besides using the automatically created start menu entry for the Python
-interpreter, you might want to start Python in the command prompt. As of
-Python 3.3, the installer has an option to set that up for you.
-
-At the "Customize Python 3.3" screen, an option called
-"Add python.exe to search path" can be enabled to have the installer place
-your installation into the :envvar:`%PATH%`. This allows you to type
-:command:`python` to run the interpreter. Thus, you can also execute your
+interpreter, you might want to start Python in the command prompt. The
+installer for Python 3.5 and later has an option to set that up for you.
+
+On the first page of the installer, an option labelled "Add Python 3.5 to
+PATH" can be selected to have the installer add the install location into the
+:envvar:`PATH`. The location of the :file:`Scripts\\` folder is also added.
+This allows you to type :command:`python` to run the interpreter, and
+:command:`pip` or . Thus, you can also execute your
scripts with command line options, see :ref:`using-on-cmdline` documentation.
If you don't enable this option at install time, you can always re-run the
-installer to choose it.
-
-The alternative is manually modifying the :envvar:`%PATH%` using the
-directions in :ref:`setting-envvars`. You need to set your :envvar:`%PATH%`
-environment variable to include the directory of your Python distribution,
-delimited by a semicolon from other entries. An example variable could look
-like this (assuming the first two entries are Windows' default)::
-
- C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\Python33
-
-
-Finding modules
----------------
-
-Python usually stores its library (and thereby your site-packages folder) in the
-installation directory. So, if you had installed Python to
-:file:`C:\\Python\\`, the default library would reside in
-:file:`C:\\Python\\Lib\\` and third-party modules should be stored in
-:file:`C:\\Python\\Lib\\site-packages\\`.
-
-This is how :data:`sys.path` is populated on Windows:
-
-* An empty entry is added at the start, which corresponds to the current
- directory.
-
-* If the environment variable :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` exists, as described in
- :ref:`using-on-envvars`, its entries are added next. Note that on Windows,
- paths in this variable must be separated by semicolons, to distinguish them
- from the colon used in drive identifiers (``C:\`` etc.).
-
-* Additional "application paths" can be added in the registry as subkeys of
- :samp:`\\SOFTWARE\\Python\\PythonCore\\{version}\\PythonPath` under both the
- ``HKEY_CURRENT_USER`` and ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE`` hives. Subkeys which have
- semicolon-delimited path strings as their default value will cause each path
- to be added to :data:`sys.path`. (Note that all known installers only use
- HKLM, so HKCU is typically empty.)
-
-* If the environment variable :envvar:`PYTHONHOME` is set, it is assumed as
- "Python Home". Otherwise, the path of the main Python executable is used to
- locate a "landmark file" (``Lib\os.py``) to deduce the "Python Home". If a
- Python home is found, the relevant sub-directories added to :data:`sys.path`
- (``Lib``, ``plat-win``, etc) are based on that folder. Otherwise, the core
- Python path is constructed from the PythonPath stored in the registry.
-
-* If the Python Home cannot be located, no :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` is specified in
- the environment, and no registry entries can be found, a default path with
- relative entries is used (e.g. ``.\Lib;.\plat-win``, etc).
-
-The end result of all this is:
-
-* When running :file:`python.exe`, or any other .exe in the main Python
- directory (either an installed version, or directly from the PCbuild
- directory), the core path is deduced, and the core paths in the registry are
- ignored. Other "application paths" in the registry are always read.
-
-* When Python is hosted in another .exe (different directory, embedded via COM,
- etc), the "Python Home" will not be deduced, so the core path from the
- registry is used. Other "application paths" in the registry are always read.
-
-* If Python can't find its home and there is no registry (eg, frozen .exe, some
- very strange installation setup) you get a path with some default, but
- relative, paths.
-
-
-Executing scripts
------------------
-
-As of Python 3.3, Python includes a launcher which facilitates running Python
-scripts. See :ref:`launcher` for more information.
-
-Executing scripts without the Python launcher
----------------------------------------------
-
-Without the Python launcher installed, Python scripts (files with the extension
-``.py``) will be executed by :program:`python.exe` by default. This executable
-opens a terminal, which stays open even if the program uses a GUI. If you do
-not want this to happen, use the extension ``.pyw`` which will cause the script
-to be executed by :program:`pythonw.exe` by default (both executables are
-located in the top-level of your Python installation directory). This
-suppresses the terminal window on startup.
-
-You can also make all ``.py`` scripts execute with :program:`pythonw.exe`,
-setting this through the usual facilities, for example (might require
-administrative rights):
-
-#. Launch a command prompt.
-#. Associate the correct file group with ``.py`` scripts::
-
- assoc .py=Python.File
-
-#. Redirect all Python files to the new executable::
-
- ftype Python.File=C:\Path\to\pythonw.exe "%1" %*
+installer, select Modify, and enable it. Alternatively, you can manually
+modify the :envvar:`PATH` using the directions in :ref:`setting-envvars`. You
+need to set your :envvar:`PATH` environment variable to include the directory
+of your Python installation, delimited by a semicolon from other entries. An
+example variable could look like this (assuming the first two entries already
+existed)::
+ C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\Program Files\Python 3.5
.. _launcher:
@@ -251,21 +349,26 @@ Python Launcher for Windows
.. versionadded:: 3.3
-The Python launcher for Windows is a utility which aids in the location and
-execution of different Python versions. It allows scripts (or the
+The Python launcher for Windows is a utility which aids in locating and
+executing of different Python versions. It allows scripts (or the
command-line) to indicate a preference for a specific Python version, and
will locate and execute that version.
+Unlike the :envvar:`PATH` variable, the launcher will correctly select the most
+appropriate version of Python. It will prefer per-user installations over
+system-wide ones, and orders by language version rather than using the most
+recently installed version.
+
Getting started
---------------
From the command-line
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-You should ensure the launcher is on your PATH - depending on how it was
-installed it may already be there, but check just in case it is not.
-
-From a command-prompt, execute the following command:
+System-wide installations of Python 3.3 and later will put the launcher on your
+:envvar:`PATH`. The launcher is compatible with all available versions of
+Python, so it does not matter which version is installed. To check that the
+launcher is available, execute the following command in Command Prompt:
::
@@ -291,6 +394,16 @@ If you have a Python 3.x installed, try the command:
You should find the latest version of Python 3.x starts.
+If you see the following error, you do not have the launcher installed:
+
+::
+
+ 'py' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
+ operable program or batch file.
+
+Per-user installations of Python do not add the launcher to :envvar:`PATH`
+unless the option was selected on installation.
+
From a script
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -383,17 +496,16 @@ Customization
Customization via INI files
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Two .ini files will be searched by the launcher - ``py.ini`` in the
- current user's "application data" directory (i.e. the directory returned
- by calling the Windows function SHGetFolderPath with CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA)
- and ``py.ini`` in the same directory as the launcher. The same .ini
- files are used for both the 'console' version of the launcher (i.e.
- py.exe) and for the 'windows' version (i.e. pyw.exe)
+Two .ini files will be searched by the launcher - ``py.ini`` in the current
+user's "application data" directory (i.e. the directory returned by calling the
+Windows function SHGetFolderPath with CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA) and ``py.ini`` in the
+same directory as the launcher. The same .ini files are used for both the
+'console' version of the launcher (i.e. py.exe) and for the 'windows' version
+(i.e. pyw.exe)
- Customization specified in the "application directory" will have
- precedence over the one next to the executable, so a user, who may not
- have write access to the .ini file next to the launcher, can override
- commands in that global .ini file)
+Customization specified in the "application directory" will have precedence over
+the one next to the executable, so a user, who may not have write access to the
+.ini file next to the launcher, can override commands in that global .ini file)
Customizing default Python versions
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -488,6 +600,78 @@ particular version was chosen and the exact command-line used to execute the
target Python.
+
+Finding modules
+===============
+
+Python usually stores its library (and thereby your site-packages folder) in the
+installation directory. So, if you had installed Python to
+:file:`C:\\Python\\`, the default library would reside in
+:file:`C:\\Python\\Lib\\` and third-party modules should be stored in
+:file:`C:\\Python\\Lib\\site-packages\\`.
+
+This is how :data:`sys.path` is populated on Windows:
+
+* An empty entry is added at the start, which corresponds to the current
+ directory.
+
+* If the environment variable :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` exists, as described in
+ :ref:`using-on-envvars`, its entries are added next. Note that on Windows,
+ paths in this variable must be separated by semicolons, to distinguish them
+ from the colon used in drive identifiers (``C:\`` etc.).
+
+* Additional "application paths" can be added in the registry as subkeys of
+ :samp:`\\SOFTWARE\\Python\\PythonCore\\{version}\\PythonPath` under both the
+ ``HKEY_CURRENT_USER`` and ``HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE`` hives. Subkeys which have
+ semicolon-delimited path strings as their default value will cause each path
+ to be added to :data:`sys.path`. (Note that all known installers only use
+ HKLM, so HKCU is typically empty.)
+
+* If the environment variable :envvar:`PYTHONHOME` is set, it is assumed as
+ "Python Home". Otherwise, the path of the main Python executable is used to
+ locate a "landmark file" (``Lib\os.py``) to deduce the "Python Home". If a
+ Python home is found, the relevant sub-directories added to :data:`sys.path`
+ (``Lib``, ``plat-win``, etc) are based on that folder. Otherwise, the core
+ Python path is constructed from the PythonPath stored in the registry.
+
+* If the Python Home cannot be located, no :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` is specified in
+ the environment, and no registry entries can be found, a default path with
+ relative entries is used (e.g. ``.\Lib;.\plat-win``, etc).
+
+The end result of all this is:
+
+* When running :file:`python.exe`, or any other .exe in the main Python
+ directory (either an installed version, or directly from the PCbuild
+ directory), the core path is deduced, and the core paths in the registry are
+ ignored. Other "application paths" in the registry are always read.
+
+* When Python is hosted in another .exe (different directory, embedded via COM,
+ etc), the "Python Home" will not be deduced, so the core path from the
+ registry is used. Other "application paths" in the registry are always read.
+
+* If Python can't find its home and there is no registry (eg, frozen .exe, some
+ very strange installation setup) you get a path with some default, but
+ relative, paths.
+
+For those who want to bundle Python into their application or distribution, the
+following advice will prevent conflicts with other installations:
+
+* If you are loading :file:`python3.dll` or :file:`python35.dll` in your own
+ executable, explicitly call :c:func:`Py_SetPath` or (at least)
+ :c:func:`Py_SetProgramName` before :c:func:`Py_Initialize`.
+
+* Clear and/or overwrite :envvar:`PYTHONPATH` and set :envvar:`PYTHONHOME`
+ before launching :file:`python.exe` from your application.
+
+* If you cannot use the previous suggestions (for example, you are a
+ distribution that allows people to run :file:`python.exe` directly), ensure
+ that the landmark file (:file:`Lib\\os.py`) exists in your bundled library.
+ (Note that it will not be detected inside a ZIP file.)
+
+These will ensure that the files in a system-wide installation will not take
+precedence over the copy of the standard library bundled with your application.
+Otherwise, your users may experience problems using your application.
+
Additional modules
==================
@@ -498,7 +682,6 @@ and external, and snippets exist to use these features.
The Windows-specific standard modules are documented in
:ref:`mswin-specific-services`.
-
PyWin32
-------
@@ -557,20 +740,8 @@ latest release's source or just grab a fresh `checkout
<https://docs.python.org/devguide/setup.html#getting-the-source-code>`_.
The source tree contains a build solution and project files for Microsoft
-Visual C++, which is the compiler used to build the official Python releases.
-View the :file:`readme.txt` in their respective directories:
-
-+--------------------+--------------+-----------------------+
-| Directory | MSVC version | Visual Studio version |
-+====================+==============+=======================+
-| :file:`PC/VS9.0/` | 9.0 | 2008 |
-+--------------------+--------------+-----------------------+
-| :file:`PCbuild/` | 10.0 | 2010 |
-+--------------------+--------------+-----------------------+
-
-Note that any build directories within the :file:`PC` directory are not
-necessarily fully supported. The :file:`PCbuild` directory contains the files
-for the compiler used to build the official release.
+Visual Studio 2015, which is the compiler used to build the official Python
+releases. These files are in the :file:`PCbuild` directory.
Check :file:`PCbuild/readme.txt` for general information on the build process.