Pythonwin does not open in Windows 8.1

[MarkMcPherson1]

No matter what I do, Pythonw.exe (from Arcmap) does not open. I am using Windows 8.1.
Does anyone know what to do?

[V_StuartFoote]

Mark,

The Python non-console script interpreter pythonw.exe, is not the PythonWin IDE ( http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/files/pywin32/Build%20218/ )
ArcGIS no longer ships the PythonWIn IDE and its pyWin32 based GUI.  Your default ArcGIS 10.1 or 10.2 install will have only the native Python GUI--IDLE, or Esri's Python console in ArcMap.

If you'd like to use the PythonWin IDE current build is 218 and you'll want the Python 2.7 specific build, pywin32-218.win32-py2.7.exe

Of course this is all a bit shaky on Windows 8.1 where you will need to install ArcGIS 10.1 or 10.2 with compatibility settings, although ArcGIS 10.2.1 seems to be stable.

Stuart

[MarkMcPherson1]

Thank you for that. Well, I downloaded the file you recommended, but it looks like it just copied what I already have (I have 10.2 ArcInfo). I see the file Pythonw.exe, but nothing happens when I click on it.

I changed the Compatibility setting to "Windows 7", and even "Run as Administrator", but nothing happens.

This Windows 8.1 has just been a nightmare. Does this program work for you?

[V_StuartFoote]

I see the file Pythonw.exe, but nothing happens when I click on it.

The pythonw.exe program is not a GUI program. It is used in scripting a Python program that requires no console window for user input or review.

For both the Python IDLE IDE GUI and the PythonWin IDE GUI, with Windows 8 or 8.1 you have to launch the program from the metro search panel (the Magnifying glass).

Or, you can add a "Programs" toolbar to the task bar to mimic what you were used to through the Windows 7 releases.

You can follow one of these guides:
[INDENT]Short and sweet...
http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-add-an-all-programs-button-to-the-windows-8-taskbar

More technically complete...
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2460-start-menu-toolbar-create-windows-8-taskbar.html
[/INDENT]


Point is with this Start Menu -> Programs restored, you'll have the familiar clickable icon to open either IDE with.

[Luke_Pinner]

Just to reiterate, pythonw.exe is not the PythonWin executable. That is located at <python install dir>\Lib\site-packages\pythonwin\Pythonwin.exe (i.e. for 10.1 it is C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.1\Lib\site-packages\pythonwin\Pythonwin.exe).

[MarkMcPherson1]

Okay, I got it, now. I appreciate everybody's help.

[MarkMcPherson1]

Okay, I got it now. So, I downloaded the zip file from sourceforge.net, as you indicated. I now realize that this is installed "on top of" the existing Python that come with ArcMap 10.2. Then, I went to C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.2\Lib\site-packages\pythonwin\Pythonwin.exe and can now run the program. YAY!


Thanks everybody for your help.
Mark

Mark,

The Python non-console script interpreter pythonw.exe, is not the PythonWin IDE ( http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/files/pywin32/Build 218/ )
ArcGIS no longer ships the PythonWIn IDE and its pyWin32 based GUI.  Your default ArcGIS 10.1 or 10.2 install will have only the native Python GUI--IDLE, or Esri's Python console in ArcMap.

If you'd like to use the PythonWin IDE current build is 218 and you'll want the Python 2.7 specific build, pywin32-218.win32-py2.7.exe

Of course this is all a bit shaky on Windows 8.1 where you will need to install ArcGIS 10.1 or 10.2 with compatibility settings, although ArcGIS 10.2.1 seems to be stable.

Stuart