Unable to Load Python 3.6 on Windows 7

Question

Fresh install of Python 3.6 on Windows 7.

I am presented with the following error when attempting to open Python 3.6:

Fatal Python error: Py_Initialise: unable to load the file system codec
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'encodings'
Current thread 0x0000252c (most recent call first):

I've tried:

• Setting the Path, PYTHONPATH, and PYTHONHOME variables to the directory where Python 3.6 is installed, but this has NOT resolved the issue, despite it being presented as a solution in other threads.
• Reinstalling with the 32 bit version and the same error occurs.
• Running with administrator privileges and the same error occurs.
• Copying the Python36 folder to my user folder, setting the Path, PYTHONPATH, and PYTHONHOME variables to this new folder but the same error occurs.
• Installing Python 3.6 for all users and just for my user, but the same error occurs.

• Eryk Sun: Setting PYTHONPATH and PYTHONHOME is not the solution and actually is generally the problem. PYTHONPATH can be used -- carefully -- to add directories to sys.path, as long as you're aware it's affecting sys.path for every installed interpreter and as long as you never include the installation directory or the "Lib" subdirectory or anything under it. PYTHONHOME is only required in special cases. It should never be used for a standard Python installation from python.org.
• Eryk Sun: In a command prompt, check where python to ensure you're running the right version, and check set PYTHON to ensure that no Python-specific environment variables are set; if they are, unset them, e.g. run set PYTHONHOME= to clear that variable in the current shell.
• CristiFati: Is there an encodings folder (containing a __init.py__ file) in your "%PYTHON36_INSTALL_DIR%\Lib" folder?

Answer 1

Download this file and place under Lib folder in python directory

https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/3.6/Lib/codecs.py

Answer 2

Thank you, erkysun.

Removing all Python related directory paths from my environment Path, PYTHONPATH, and PYTHONHOME variables solved the issues I was experiencing.

For the benefit of anyone else experiencing this issue in the future, I removed these directory paths by:

1. Typing 'env' into my search Windows 7 search bar, and opening 'Edit the system environment variables'
2. Clicking the 'Environment Variables...' button in the bottom right hand corner of the dialogue box which appears
3. Locating Path, PYTHONPATH, and PYTHONHOME and making the appropriate deletions.

Thanks for your help everyone.