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Install miniforge/mambaforge on windows
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miniforge_windows_install.md

Installing Miniforge3 on a GNS Windows machine

This guide will show you how to install and configure Miniforge on a GNS Windows PC. Before you jump into the install there are a few things you should understand

  • This a "user" install. No adminstator privileges are required. Miniforge will be installed under your user profile, so other users of a given PC wil not have access to your Miniforge installation.
  • You are responsible for maintaining all aspects of your Miniforge installation.
  • Miniforge is not available via Software Centre and is not officially supported by GNS IT. Nevertheless, IT know all about Miniforge and endorse your use of it.
  • If you have any problems you should first try asking for help from GNS Python Users on Microsoft Teams. IT Support may be able to help, but they will probably direct you to Python Users Team.
  • A miniforge installation can coexist happily with other python installations. Installing miniforge will not

Step 1. Download Miniforge

The installers are available for download from the Conda Forge GitHub page. There are multiple flavours of Miniforge available, but to keep things simple this guide will focus on the installing the default version Miniforge3-Windows-x86_64.exe.

Step 2. Run the installer

Warning: You may get a warning message from Windows Defender Smartscreen informing you that has prevented an unrecognized app from running. You can safely dismiss this message by clicking more info and then run anyway.

  1. Accept the license
  2. Install for "just me". Attempting to install for all users wshould fail
  3. IMPORTANT: Deselect the option "register XXX as my default python 3.XX".
  4. Aceept the default install location and wait for it to finish

Step 3. Post-install configuration steps

Open the newly install Miniforge CMD terminal (Start Menu >> Miniforge Prompt ) and copy-paste the following commands

conda config --set auto_activate_base false
conda config --set channel_priority strict
conda init --all
conda update --yes --all 
conda install --yes --name base mamba

Step 4. Logout & Login

At this point you should logout and login to ensure all settings hav been applied correctly.

Step 5. Create an environment [Optional]

Create a test environment

conda create -n test37 python=3.7
conda activate test37
python --version
(test37) C:\Users\your_username>
Python 3.7.12

conda env remove test37
conda env list
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