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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"DiscussionForumPosting","headline":"Installing winpython : explaining the differences between options","articleBody":"If I want to install WinPython 3.14 as released in the latest release available (2025-05 post1 release), I have 9 choices available :\n\n1. WinPython64-3.14.2.0dot_post1.exe\n2. WinPython64-3.14.2.0dot_post1.zip\n3. WinPython64-3.14.2.0free_post1.exe\n4. WinPython64-3.14.2.0free_post1.zip\n5. WinPython64-3.14.2.0slimf_post1.exe\n6. WinPython64-3.14.2.0slimf_post1.zip\n7. WinPython64-3.14.2.0slim_post1.7z\n8. WinPython64-3.14.2.0slim_post1.exe\n9. WinPython64-3.14.2.0whl_post1.7z\n\nThis is bonkers !!!\n\nI understand reading https://winpython.github.io/ that some choices are duplicates (with a zip or 7z version and an exe version), but that's about it. How am I supposed to choose which of these version is appropriate for my needs ? There is no explanation whatsoever on https://winpython.github.io/ nor on https://github.com/winpython/winpython/releases/tag/17.2.20251222post1 about the differences between the 5 choices (dot, free, slimf, slim and whl) and the two packagings (zip or 7z vs exe).\n\nCould you please provide a simple explanation between the different choices you provide ?\n\nSomething like :\n\n\u003e 1.  the **dot** version installs a minimal version of Winpython. The **free** version is the same with free threading enabled. You can install packages later using the WinPython Package Management application.\n\u003e 2. the **slim** version installs Pandoc and every package available for WinPython. The **slimf** version is the same with free threading enabled. \n\u003e 3. the **whl** version installs a minimal version and ready to install wheels.\n\u003e\n\u003e Each version (except the whl) is available either as an exe file or as a zip (or 7z) file.\n\nA few more things :\n1. Why provide a zip (or 7z) and and exe version for dot/free/slim/slimf WinPython ? What's the difference between the zip (or 7z) and the exe release ? Which release would you recommand the average user download ? Why use zip for some and 7z for some other, by the way ?\n2. What is the difference between naked Python and free threaded Python ? Could you explain it in a few words ? Which version would you recommand to the average user today ? Why ?\n3. What is Pandoc ? What's the purpose of installing pandoc with WinPython ?\n4. Is it appropriate to have a **slim** version of WinPython when the so called **slim** version seems to be the fatest version available ?\n5. In my opinion, the page https://winpython.github.io/ should feature the latest release of Wynpython. Previous releases should be available on a separate page","author":{"url":"https://github.com/RivetBenoit","@type":"Person","name":"RivetBenoit"},"datePublished":"2026-01-11T12:09:21.000Z","interactionStatistic":{"@type":"InteractionCounter","interactionType":"https://schema.org/CommentAction","userInteractionCount":2},"url":"https://github.com/1972/winpython/issues/1972"}