Uninstalling Python 2.3

Before performing any installations/uninstallations, make sure you make a backup copy of your own programs in case anything important is accidentally deleted.

If you currently have Python 2.3 installed, we recommend that you first uninstall that version before installing Python 2.4. Installing Python 2.4 will still work even without uninstalling 2.3, but as soon as you install 2.4, the registry will then be changed to point to python.exe in the 2.4 directory. However, certain files such as an old IPython script may still be invoking Python 2.3, which may behave differently so that what may normally work in 2.4 may crash in 2.3 and cause much confusion. To avoid such issues, it is strongly advised that Python 2.3 as well as the IPython program that calls version 2.3 be uninstalled before installing 2.4.

1. Go to Control Panel and select Add or Remove Programs
2. Select the Python 2.3 item and click on Remove
3. Scroll through the list of programs and remove each Python 2.3 package that has been installed such as Python 2.3 matplotlib or Python 2.3 scipy by selecting it and clicking on Change/Remove
4. The directory C:\Python23\ will still exist, so it is recommended that that directory be deleted to avoid confusion (make sure any code you have in there is backed up before deleting the directory!!!)
5. Remove any shortcuts to Python 2.3 or IPython that may still be under the Start menu.