Python pip on Windows - command cl exe failed

Question

I wanted to install spaCy using pip install spacy. But met with an error.

I have VS 2015 installed, and I have the following Python install.

3.5.2 |Anaconda 2.5.0 (64-bit)| (default, Jul 5 2016, 11:41:13) [MSC v.1900 64 bit (AMD64)]

Can someone help me solve this issue?

Answer 1

You should have  cl.exe (the Microsoft C Compiler) installed on your computer and in your PATH. 

• Ensure the C++ build tools for Visual Studio are installed.
• Install Desktop development with C++ from the Visual Studio Installer.
• Use one of the special commands prompts in the Visual Studio folder in Start Menu.
• This sets up PATH automatically so that cl.exe can be found.
• For 32-bit Python, use x86 Native Tools Command Prompt.
• For 64-bit Python, use x64 Native Tools Command Prompt.

I hope this helps.