title: Installing numpy for Windows 10: Importing the multiarray numpy extension module failed
body: <p>I am new to <code>Python</code> and am attempting unsuccessfully to install <code>numpy</code>.  The current problem is an error message reading, in part, <code>Importing the multiarray numpy extension module failed</code>.  I cannot locate this error message on the internet and am asking for help.  The complete error message is at the bottom of this post.</p>
  
  <p>First I thought I should provide system and version details and describe what I have done.  I am running <code>Windows 10</code> on a 64-bit machine and have installed <code>Python 2.7.13</code> from <a href="https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/" rel="noreferrer">https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/</a></p>
  
  <p>I have also installed <code>Anaconda</code>, also for <code>Python 2.7</code> and a 64-bit machine, downloaded from here <a href="https://www.continuum.io/downloads" rel="noreferrer">https://www.continuum.io/downloads</a>.  <code>Anaconda</code> runs <code>Python 2.7.12</code>, rather than <code>Python 2.7.13</code>.  When I type <code>import numpy</code> inside the <code>Anaconda</code> GUI <code>IPython</code> no errors or warnings appear.  Nevertheless, I have the impression running <code>numpy</code> from inside <code>Python 2.7.13</code> using <code>IDLE (Python GUI)</code> might be computationally faster.  <code>Python 2.7.13</code> appears first in my Path statement.</p>
  
  <p>I downloaded <code>numpy-1.12.0rc2+mkl-cp27-cp27m-win_amd64.whl</code> from <a href="http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/#jpype" rel="noreferrer">http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/#jpype</a>  Following suggestions from this post <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/35839198/installing-numpy-from-wheel-format-on-windows-not-a-supported-wheel-on-this-pl?rq=1">installing numpy from wheel format on windows ( not a supported wheel on this platform.)</a> I renamed:</p>
  
  <p><code>numpy-1.12.0rc2+mkl-cp27-cp27m-win_amd64.whl</code> to:
  <code>numpy-1.12.0rc2+mkl-cp27-none-win32.whl</code></p>
  
  <p>manually by clicking on the name and editing it.  The renamed file is in the folder <code>C:\Python27</code></p>
  
  <p>Then I used the Windows command window (cmd) to update <code>pip</code> typing:</p>
  
  <pre><code>python -m pip install --upgrade pip
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>A message said <code>pip</code> was already up-to-date.</p>
  
  <p>Then I typed the following in the cmd window:</p>
  
  <pre><code>pip install numpy-1.12.0rc2+mkl-cp27-none-win32.whl
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>A message said: <code>Successfully installed numpy-1.12.0rc2+mkl</code>.  (Prior to doing this I attempted to install the <code>.whl</code> file using its original name and received an error that the file was not for my platform.)</p>
  
  <p>After installing <code>numpy</code> in <code>Python 2.7.13</code> I open <code>Python</code> and typed: </p>
  
  <pre><code>import numpy
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Here is the complete error message that was returned:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "&lt;pyshell#0&gt;", line 1, in &lt;module&gt;
      import numpy
    File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\__init__.py", line 142, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . import add_newdocs
    File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\add_newdocs.py", line 13, in &lt;module&gt;
      from numpy.lib import add_newdoc
    File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\lib\__init__.py", line 8, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .type_check import *
    File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\lib\type_check.py", line 11, in &lt;module&gt;
      import numpy.core.numeric as _nx
    File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\core\__init__.py", line 24, in &lt;module&gt;
      raise ImportError(msg)
  ImportError: 
  Importing the multiarray numpy extension module failed.  Most
  likely you are trying to import a failed build of numpy.
  If you're working with a numpy git repo, try `git clean -xdf` (removes all
  files not under version control).  Otherwise reinstall numpy.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Numerous <code>numpy</code> folders and files now appear inside <code>C:\Python27</code></p>
  
  <p>I also tried the following two commands and received the messages shown:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt;&gt; pip show numpy
  SyntaxError: invalid syntax
  &gt;&gt;&gt; git clean -xdf
  SyntaxError: invalid syntax
  &gt;&gt;&gt; 
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Sorry that this post is so long, but I do not know which of the above details might be most helpful in diagnosing the problem.  I have only been using <code>Python</code> for about 24 hours and most of that time has been spent attempting to install <code>numpy</code> into <code>Python 2.7.13</code>.  Mostly I use <code>R</code> and know some <code>C</code>.  I have not attempted to install any other <code>Python</code> libraries or packages.  Perhaps I am missing dependencies required by <code>numpy</code>.  Thank you for any advice or assistance with this problem.  If I can provide additional information please let me know.  Sorry if this is a duplicate.</p>