Since both pip nor python commands are not installed along Python in Windows, you will need to use the Windows alternative py, which is included by default when you installed Python. Then you have the option to specify a general or specific version number after the py command.

C:\> py      -m pip install pandas  %= one of Python on the system =%
C:\> py -2   -m pip install pandas  %= one of Python 2 on the system =%
C:\> py -2.7 -m pip install pandas  %= only for Python 2.7 =%
C:\> py -3   -m pip install pandas  %= one of Python 3 on the system =%
C:\> py -3.6 -m pip install pandas  %= only for Python 3.6 =%

Alternatively, in order to get pip to work without py -m part, you will need to add pip to the PATH environment variable.

C:\> setx PATH "%PATH%;C:\<path\to\python\folder>\Scripts"

Now you can run the following command as expected.

C:\> pip install pandas

Troubleshooting:

Problem:

connection error: [SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED] certificate verify failed

Solution:

This is caused by your SSL certificate is unable to verify the host server. You can add pypi.python.org to the trusted host or specify an alternative SSL certificate. For more information, please see this post. (Thanks to Anuj Varshney for suggesting this)

C:\> py -m pip install --trusted-host pypi.python.org pip pandas

Problem:

PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied

Solution:

This is a caused by when you don't permission to modify the Python site-package folders. You can avoid this with one of the following methods:

• Run Windows Command Prompt as administrator (thanks to DataGirl's suggestion) by:

  1. + R to open run
  2. type in cmd.exe in the search box
  3. CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER
  4. An alternative method for step 1-3 would be to manually locate cmd.exe, right click, then click Run as Administrator.

• Run pip in user mode by adding --user option when installing with pip. Which typically install the package to the local %APPDATA% Python folder.

C:\> py -m pip install --user pandas

• Create a virtual environment.

C:\> py -m venv c:\path\to\new\venv
C:\> <path\to\the\new\venv>\Scripts\activate.bat

In my opinion, the issue is because the environment variable is not set up to recognize pip as a valid command.

In general, the pip in Python is at this location:

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36\Scripts > pip

So all we need to do is go to Computer Name> Right Click > Advanced System Settings > Select Env Variable then under system variables > reach to Path> Edit path and add the Path by separating this path by putting a semicolon after the last path already was in the Env Variable.

Now run Python shell, and this should work.

Assuming you are using Windows OS.

All you need to add the pip.exe path to the Environment Variables (Path).

Generally, you can find it under ..Python\Scripts folder.

For me it is, C:\Program Files\Python36\Scripts\