Windows Install of ReText

MarkStinson Dmitry Shachnev Tim Benke

How to install ReText on Windows

Installation

  1. Download and install the latest version of Python (3.3.0: x86 or amd64).
  2. Download and install PyQt for your Python version from riverbankcomputing.co.uk.

  3. Time to update your computer's Environmental Variables:

    • Click Start, right-click My Computer and select Properties.
    • Click Environment Variables.

    • For System Variables, click New. Then add:

      PYTHONPATH=C:\Python33\Lib\;C:\Python33\Lib\site-packages\

    • Select the System Variable PATH, click Edit.

    • Update the PATH by adding C:\Python33;C:\Python33\Lib\site-packages\PyQt4\bin; to the front of it, like so: PATH=C:\Python33;C:\Python33\Lib\site-packages\PyQt4\bin;etc.

  4. Download and run distribute_setup.py which will install distribute package, which provides easy_install tool.

  5. Time to install additional Python libraries.

    • Select Start -> Run cmd then cd \Python33\Tools\Scripts.

    • Enter:

      easy_install Pygments
easy_install ElementTree
easy_install Markdown
easy_install Markups

  6. Download and unpack ReText

  7. Download and unpack ReText icons pack
  8. Place the unpacked icons into the ReText\icons folder
  9. Run cmd then cd to the ReText folder. Then enter: python3 retext.py

Creating a Launch Shortcut

If you wish to ReText to have a Shortcut to start it. Then you can pin it to your Start menu, copy to your Desktop or Quick Launch, etc.

For local installs

  1. Right-click drag-n-drop the retext.py and select "Create shortcuts here"
  2. Adjust the properties of the shortcut
  3. Change the Shortcut tab: Target: C:\python33\pythonw.exe retext.py's path ; Run = minimized ; Change Icon (to whatever you like).
  4. Change the General tab: rename it to "ReText"

If you wish for the python shell box to not appear, you should follow the USB Stick Batch file instructions at the moment.

For USB Sticks

  1. Copy C:\python33 to USB Stick, say U:\python33
  2. Put ReText on the stick

  3. Create the following BAT file: retext.bat

    REM ReText Startup batch file
REM -------------------------
REM determine drive letter of batchfile
for /f "delims=\" %%d in ('cd') do set curdrv=%%d
echo %curdrv%
REM Set ENVs using current drive letter if ENVs not set for USB Sticks
REM REM them out if you have the ENVs set
set PYTHONPATH=%curdrv%\Python33\Lib;%curdrv%\Python33\Lib\site-packages
set PATH=%curdrv%\Python33;%curdrv%\Python33\Lib\site-packages\PyQt4\bin;%PATH%
REM Start ReText
start /B %curdrv%\Python33\pythonw.exe %CD%\retext.py

  4. Right-click drag-n-drop the retext.bat and select "Create shortcuts here"

  5. Adjust the properties of the shortcut
  6. Change the Shortcut tab: Run = minimized ; Change Icon (to whatever you like)
  7. Change the General tab: rename it to "ReText"

Notables

  • Install performed without a proxy. easy_install requires an internet connection. You're on your own dealing with a proxy. As there's really no Registry Entries, you could install else where and copy to USB Stick and create the batch file.
  • Tested on Windows XP 32-bit. Untested with ActiveState Python, so adjust your steps accordingly.

Related

Wiki: Changelogs

  • Dmitry Shachnev
    Dmitry Shachnev
    2012-03-13

    Now that ReText supports Python 3, this guide needs to be updated to use Python 3.2 instead of 2.7.

    I've fixed some minor issues now and updated some links.

     
    Reply


  • Anonymous
    2012-04-28

    Why not use py2exe (http://www.py2exe.org/) to make binaries for Windows users? They could just run ReText like a regular program, or you could even make an installer (I think there is an option for that). No need for them to install libraries, you can package them into your EXE.

     
    Reply

    • Dmitry Shachnev
      Dmitry Shachnev
      2012-04-29

      The reason is the same as why I don't create RPMs for Linux and DMGs for OS X — I just don't have enough time and resources to do that.

      However, I'll appreciate if someone other will do that.

       
      Reply

      • Tim Benke
        Tim Benke
        2012-12-20

        Actually I like the current distribution format, because I can easily make small adjustments in the code. I was using some other Python WriteRoom-clone and it a hassle to get to the actual code just to disable some annoying dialogs...

         
        Last edit: Tim Benke 2012-12-20
        Reply


  • Anonymous
    2012-12-23

    If you use pythonw.exe instead of python.exe, the command prompt window won't show.

    So the shortcut's target should look something like this:

    C:\Python33\pythonw.exe C:\Path\to\ReText\retext.py

     
    Reply


  • Anonymous
    2013-01-27

    Found a typo... Please change
    PYTHONPATH=C:\Python\Lib\;C:\Python\Lib\site-packages\ to
    PYTHONPATH=C:\Python33\Lib\;C:\Python33\Lib\site-packages\

    Thanks (great program!)

     
    Reply


Anonymous

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