How do I install MS Visual C++ for python 2.7?

Question

I am using the Enthought Canopy IDE to run my python codes and I want to install MS visual C++. I downloaded the .msi file from here and now can I just install VCForPython27.msi directly using the installation wizard? As far as I understand, I cannot do that(right?). But I don't understand what I have to do now to install this into the Canopy environment.

The site says use pip install but when I try

pip install VCForPython.msi

I am getting an error message saying that no matching distribution found for VCForPython.msi

I also tried converting the .msi to a .whl file and then trying to install but I am getting an error at

wheel convert VCForPython.msi

saying this is not a zip file. I am a complete beginner and I realize most of what I tried might be nonsense. Please tell me how to install VC into the virtual environment of Canopy.

PS. I am doing all this after opening 'Canopy command promt' from tools.

PSS. I have to install this because I want to get baseSphinx setup and this post says VC is a dependency. That does mean I have to install this right?

Answer 1

now can I just install VCForPython27.msi directly using the installation wizard?

Yes.

As far as I understand, I cannot do that(right?).

Wrong. :) Could you point me to the instruction which gave you this wrong impression so that we can correct / clarify it?

The site says use pip install

That's how you install a python package. Microsoft Visual C++ compiler is not a Python package. It is required in order to build some Python packages.

VC is a dependency. That does mean I have to install this right?

Right.