pywin32

library312pypypiunverified

pywin32 is an open-source Python library that provides extensive access to many Windows APIs and the Component Object Model (COM). It enables Python scripts to automate Windows applications like Excel and Outlook, interact with system services, manage the clipboard, and perform various other Windows-specific operations. The current version is 311, and the project maintains a frequent release cadence, offering incremental improvements and bug fixes.

devops

pip install pywin32 --upgrade

github ↗package ↗docs ↗changelog ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · PYWIN32

pywin32

devopspythonv312

Install

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Import

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Disk

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Pass rate

0/ 10

Env Coverage0 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · pip install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.95 runs

build_error

glibc

py 3.10–3.95 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

win32com.client

✓ import win32com.client

Primary module for COM automation (e.g., interacting with Microsoft Office applications).

win32api

✓ import win32api

Provides access to core Windows API functions (e.g., system information, file operations, process management).

win32serviceutil

✓ import win32serviceutil

Used for creating and managing Python-based Windows services, often alongside win32service and win32event.

win32clipboard

✓ import win32clipboard

Module for reading from and writing to the Windows clipboard.

This quickstart demonstrates basic COM automation by launching Microsoft Excel, making it visible, adding a new workbook, and writing text to specific cells. It showcases the common pattern of using `win32com.client.Dispatch` or `GetActiveObject` to control COM applications. Ensure Excel is installed for this example to run.

import win32com.client import os try: # Try to get an active Excel instance, or create a new one excel = win32com.client.GetActiveObject("Excel.Application") except Exception: # pythoncom.com_error if pywin32 is installed correctly excel = win32com.client.Dispatch("Excel.Application") excel.Visible = True # Make Excel visible workbook = excel.Workbooks.Add() # Add a new workbook sheet = workbook.Sheets(1) # Get the first sheet sheet.Cells(1, 1).Value = "Hello from pywin32!" sheet.Cells(2, 1).Value = "Automating Windows with Python." print("Excel opened and data written. Please check your Excel application.") print("You might need to close Excel manually after inspection.")

Debug

Known issues

breakingBinary .exe installers for pywin32 have been deprecated since build 306. Installation should now be performed using pip.

fix

Always use `pip install pywin32` or `python -m pip install pywin32` for installation instead of .exe files.

affects: >=306

gotchaThe `pywin32_postinstall.py` script (located in your Python Scripts directory) is crucial for some functionalities, especially for global installations or when running Windows services, but it should generally NOT be run inside virtual environments. It may require elevated administrator privileges.

fix

If experiencing 'module not found' or service-related issues, run `python -m pywin32_postinstall -install` from an elevated (administrator) command prompt, but only in your global Python environment, not in a virtual environment.

affects: All versions

gotchaIt is critical to match the 'bittedness' (32-bit or 64-bit) of `pywin32` with your Python interpreter's architecture. Installing a 64-bit `pywin32` with a 32-bit Python (or vice-versa) will lead to `ImportError: DLL load failed` or similar issues.

fix

Ensure you install the `pywin32` wheel that corresponds to your Python installation's architecture (e.g., `win32.whl` for 32-bit Python, `amd64.whl` for 64-bit Python, though pip usually handles this automatically now). If issues persist, verify your Python environment's bittedness.

affects: All versions

gotcha`pywin32` can be challenging to use in embedded Python environments due to how it handles DLL loading, which may cause import failures.

fix

For embedded Python distributions, `pywin32` might require specific setup or may not be fully compatible. Consider using a standard Python installation if encountering issues.

affects: All versions

gotchaDocumentation for `pywin32` is often reported by users as being sparse or outdated, especially for less common functionalities. Adapting VBA examples for COM automation often requires trial and error.

fix

Leverage online resources like Stack Overflow, Tim Golden's Python on Windows page, and the official GitHub issue tracker. Experimentation by inspecting COM object methods and attributes at runtime can also be helpful.

affects: All versions

gotchaWhen running Python scripts as Windows services using `pywin32`, ensure that the Python installation and required DLLs are accessible to the user account under which the service runs (e.g., LocalSystem). Permissions issues can prevent services from starting or functioning correctly.

fix

Install pywin32 globally from an elevated command prompt. Ensure Python is installed in a location accessible to the service account, not just the user's profile.

affects: All versions

breaking`pywin32` is a Windows-specific library that provides access to the Windows API. It cannot be installed or used on non-Windows operating systems (e.g., Linux, macOS) as no distributions exist for those platforms.

fix

Ensure you are attempting to install and use `pywin32` in a Windows environment. If cross-platform functionality is needed, consider alternative libraries or different architectural approaches.

affects: All versions

breaking`pywin32` is a Windows-specific library and is not available for non-Windows operating systems (e.g., Linux, macOS). Attempting to install it on such platforms will result in `ERROR: No matching distribution found`.

fix

Ensure `pywin32` is only installed and used in a Windows environment. If you need to interact with Windows APIs, consider running your application within a Windows container or a Windows virtual machine.

affects: All versions

Upgrade

Version history

312latest on PyPI · released Jun 4, 2026

Audit

Dependencies

Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual StudiooptionalRequired for some COM object creation and interaction functionalities, though often pre-installed on modern Windows systems.

Agent activity

9 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/mhammond/pywin32 ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/pywin32/ ↗

docshttps://mhammond.github.io/pywin32/ ↗

changeloghttps://github.com/mhammond/pywin32/blob/main/CHANGES.txt ↗