Activate Anaconda Python environment *persistently* in Windows

Question

I can't figure out how to setup my Windows 7 machine so that it "always" finds my Python 3.6 Anaconda environment, which is not my root env. I don't want to have to do "activate ..." in a cmd window every time I want to use that env. And besides, there's a Spyder item in the start menu, for 3.6 (separate from default env), which won't work. I assume because of an env issue.

A robust solution greatly appreciated.

Dave

Answer 1

I had a similar issue where every time I opened anaconda prompt it started with 'base' as the default environment. But the issue was that I was mostly working in a different custom environment so I had to activate it each time I wanted to use it. Here is the solution I found for autoactivating my preferred environment on a Windows 10 system:

• Open anaconda prompt & use 'conda env list' to find the location of the environment you wish to use.

• Go to the start menu, right-click 'Anaconda Prompt' and go to file location.

• Create a copy of its shortcut

• Open its properties & change the target to the location of your preferred environment.

  

Now every time you open anaconda prompt through this shortcut it will automatically load your chosen environment.