Python pip virtualenv in Windows

I needed to setup my Windows 8 machine for Python and Django development as I was fed up with running virtualbox and I really wanted to run PyCharm native in Windows. I jotted down these simple steps for future reference, or if someone else needs a brief overview.

Install python

I chose the official Python Windows distribution, the later versions comes with pip bundled. All I needed to do was to add two directories to my PATH:

SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\<path-to-python>\;C:\<path-to-python>\Scripts\

Setup a new virtualenv

I do not use PowerShell and did not bother trying to find an alternative for virtualenvwrapper that I use in bash. Instead I just roll my virtualenvs manually. First thing you need to do is to install virtutalenv:

pip install virtualenv

Creating a virtual environment by running:

virtualenv C:\virtualenvs\foo-env

Activate this virtual environment by running:

 C:\virtualenvs\foo-env\Scripts

From this stage it was only a matter of importing my project to PyCharm and select the right Python Interpreter.

A side note, as I use Makefiles to wrap my Django tasks I can really recommend gow a lightweight unix util distribution for windows.