How to change the kernel from Python [Root] in a Jupyter laptop running on Windows?

Question

I am an experienced Python / Jupyter user, but a Windows newbie, after downloading and installing the Anaconda Python 3 distribution kit and releasing the Jupyter notebook, I noticed that the kernel for the Jupyter Notebook says Python[Root] (instead of Python 3 on a Unix system).

The laptop works fine, but sharing laptops seems problematic, because whenever a laptop created on my machine opens on a non-Windows machine, the user finds the message “cannot find Python[Root] ” and is prompted to select Python 3 ( or Python 2). This is annoying.

It seems that I have no way to manually change the kernel inside the laptop. Perhaps this is a problem with how Anaconda (or Jupyter) is installed on my Windows machine?

Answer 1

This is due to Anaconda virtual environments. The "Root" kernel that you see is located in the Anaconda environment that is created during installation. To install other kernels for different versions of python, see http://ipython.readthedocs.io/en/stable/install/kernel_install.html .