How to Check Python Version

Knowing your Python version isn’t just a critical skill for developers. Python is widely used beyond software development, powering automation scripts, system management tools, and even cloud infrastructure orchestration, making it very relevant/applicable to IT admins and MSPs.

To that end, understanding which version of Python is installed on a system is crucial for ensuring compatibility, maintaining security, and supporting effective troubleshooting.

In this guide, we’ll explore why IT professionals and MSPs need to check Python versions, provide practical methods to do so, and share scenarios where this knowledge proves essential. 

Let’s get started.

How to Check Python Version: Why It Matters

You might be asking yourself, when would I need to use this intel in my day-to-day role? Below are a few scenarios where IT professionals would benefit from knowing how to check Python versions.

• Automation and Scripting: Many IT professionals use Python scripts to automate tasks like backups, monitoring, and deployments. Ensuring the correct Python version is installed prevents runtime errors and script failures.
• Application Compatibility: Some third-party tools and IT solutions rely on Python. Knowing the version ensures compatibility when installing, updating, or maintaining these applications.
• Compliance and Security: Outdated Python versions often contain vulnerabilities. Checking the Python version helps identify systems needing updates to meet security and compliance standards.
• Troubleshooting Environment Issues: When diagnosing issues on servers, virtual machines, or endpoints, verifying the Python version helps pinpoint potential compatibility problems or misconfigurations.

Additionally, Python version checks are integral in containerized environments (e.g., Docker), where maintaining consistent dependencies is critical. It’s also essential during cloud migrations to validate runtime compatibility.

Core Benefits

How to Check Python Version

1. Using the Command Line or Terminal

The quickest way to check the Python version on a system is via the command line or terminal.

For Windows, macOS, and Linux:

1. Open your terminal or command prompt.
2. Type one of the following commands and press Enter:
   • python –version
   • python -V
3. If the above command doesn’t work, try:
   • python3 –version

Many systems use python3 to differentiate from Python 2. To check the Python version along with environment details: python -VV

This provides detailed version and build information, which can help diagnose platform-specific issues.

2. Checking Python Version in Scripts

For IT admins running Python scripts or diagnosing script failures, verifying the Python version programmatically is helpful:

Output:

This ensures you’re using the right Python version in automated workflows or deployed scripts. Including this snippet in automation scripts can log version details for troubleshooting.

3. Using Package Managers

On managed systems, package managers can also help identify the installed Python version.

• For Windows: Use the “winget” command or check Python via the Apps & Features settings.
• For Linux: apt list –installed | grep python (for detailed version management, use “dpkg-query -l | grep python”)
• For macOS: Use “brew” if Python was installed via Homebrew: brew list –versions python

4. Checking Python in IT Tools and Platforms

Many IT management tools and platforms that integrate with Python will display the version being used. For example:

• Ansible: Run the following command to check the Python interpreter: “ansible localhost -m setup | grep ansible_python_version”
• Terraform and CI/CD Pipelines: Tools like Terraform or Jenkins may log the Python version in their execution environments. Always verify these versions for compatibility with deployed scripts.
• Cloud Platforms: AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and other cloud services often require you to select or validate the Python runtime version when deploying scripts. Ensuring that the correct runtime is selected prevents runtime errors.

Troubleshooting Python Version Issues

1. Command Not Found

• Why it happens: Python isn’t installed or isn’t added to your system’s PATH.
• Solution:
  • Install Python from the official Python website.
  • During installation, ensure Python is added to your PATH (on Windows).

2. Multiple Python Versions Installed

• Why it happens: Systems often have multiple Python versions installed, such as Python 2 and Python 3.
• Solution:
  • Use python3 or specify the full path (e.g., /usr/bin/python3.9).
  • Use version managers like pyenv or virtualenv to switch between Python versions easily. Document these tools for team-wide consistency.

3. Outdated Python Versions

• Why it happens: Older versions may still be installed on legacy systems.
• Solution: Identify and upgrade Python installations. For Linux, use:
  • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade python3
• Include automation for Python updates across systems using tools like Ansible or SCCM.

Practical Applications of Python Version Management in IT

While understanding Python version management is imperative for avoiding technical errors, it’s also about ensuring operational efficiency, security, and compatibility in complex environments. 

Checking Python versions often plays a pivotal role in resolving challenges tied to automation, legacy systems, compliance, and modern infrastructure. The following scenarios illustrate real-world situations where managing Python versions effectively can make a significant difference.

1. Updating an Automation Script:
   • An MSP inherits a Python script from a client but encounters errors due to syntax requiring Python 3.8+. Checking and updating the Python version resolves the issue.
2. Maintaining Legacy Systems:
   • An IT admin is tasked with troubleshooting a legacy server running Python 2 scripts. Confirming the Python version clarifies compatibility concerns.
3. Ensuring Security Compliance:
   • During a routine audit, an MSP identifies systems running outdated Python versions with known vulnerabilities. Upgrading Python mitigates security risks and ensures compliance.
4. Deploying Tools like Ansible or SaltStack:
   • These tools rely on Python interpreters. Verifying the Python version ensures the automation framework runs without errors.
5. Containerized Environments:
   • When building Docker containers, IT professionals often need to validate the Python version in the base image to ensure consistent dependencies. This avoids issues in production deployments.

Python Version Checks for IT Excellence

For IT admins and MSPs, knowing how to check Python versions is more than a technical detail — it’s a critical skill for maintaining secure, efficient, and compatible systems. By mastering the methods outlined here, you’ll ensure smoother deployments, effective troubleshooting, and robust automation. 

Whether you’re managing cloud infrastructure, legacy servers, or client environments, a quick Python version check can make all the difference.

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By

Lindsey Giusto

I’m dedicated to continuously improving and innovating Syncro to help our partners successfully grow their business on our platform.

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