How to change the default Anaconda Python environment

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# How to change the default Anaconda Python environment

If you need to temporarily change the environment, use the conda activate ENVIRONMENT_NAME command.

shell

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conda activate <ENVIRONMENT_NAME>

conda temporarily change default environment

If you need to list your environments, use the conda env list command.

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conda env list

conda list environments

If you need to create a virtual environment, use the following command.

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conda create --name my-env

If you are in a conda environment that uses Python version 3.9.2 and want to update it to the latest version in the 3.9 branch, then use the following command.

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conda update python

You can also upgrade the Python in a conda environment to a different version, e.g. from 3.9 to 3.10, however, this is not recommended.

It is usually safer to create a new environment.

If you want to create a new environment using a specific Python version, use the following command.

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conda create -n <YOUR_ENV_NAME> python=3.10 anaconda

Replace the <YOUR_ENV_NAME> placeholder with the actual name of the environment.

The command installs version 3.10 of Python.

If you want to upgrade the Python version of an existing conda environment, use the following command.

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conda install python=3.10

If you want to permanently change your default Anaconda environment, click on the subheading that relates to your operating system:

# Permanently changing your default Anaconda environment on macOS and Linux

If you need to permanently change your default conda environment, you have to add a command to your startup script (e.g. ~/.bashrc, ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc).

You can use the gedit command to edit your profile file.

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sudo gedit ~/.bashrc

sudo gedit ~/.bash_profile

sudo gedit ~/.zshrc

Or the nano command if you prefer to add the line in your terminal.

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sudo nano ~/.bashrc

sudo nano ~/.bash_profile

sudo nano ~/.zshrc

Once you open your profile file, add the activation command at the end of the file.

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conda activate <ENVIRONMENT_NAME>

In my case, the command looks as follows:

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conda activate my-env

Save the file and source your profile file from your terminal.

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source ~/.bashrc

source ~/.bash_profile

source ~/.zshrc

If you open a new terminal window, you will see that it defaults to the specified conda environment.

You can also use the conda env list to print the active environment.

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conda env list

print active environment macos linux

The active environment has an asterisk * next to its name.

# Permanently changing your default Anaconda environment on Windows

To permanently change your default Anaconda environment on Windows:

Open the C:\Users\YOUR_USER\AppData\Roaming directory.
Create a batch file command named my_conda_env.cmd in the AppData directory.

The file should contain your conda activation command.

shell

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conda activate <ENVIRONMENT_NAME>

create batch file command

Now, you have to configure the file to run automatically when CMD (Command Prompt) is started.
Search for Registry and start the Registry Editor application.

start registry editor application

The name of the key is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor.

You might have to create the Command Processor key under Microsoft if it doesn't already exist.

You simply have to right-click on Microsoft and select New > Key.

In the Command Processor key, right-click in the pane on the right-hand side and select New > Expandable String Value.

create expandable string value

Set the Value name: to AutoRun.

Set the Value data: to %AppData%\my_conda_env.cmd.

set value name and value data

The next time you open CMD (Command Prompt), the C:\Users\YOUR_USER\AppData\Roaming\my_conda_env.cmd file will run.

The file will use the conda activate command to activate your preferred conda environment automatically.

# Additional Resources

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How to change the default Anaconda Python environment

# Table of Contents