1. Lab computer setup

Change Windows settings to better defaults.

1.1. Pin File Explorer to the Taskbar

  • Click Start menu → Search for “File Explorer”

  • Right-click → “Pin to taskbar”

win11 file pin

1.2. Change File Explorer view options

  • Open File Explorer

  • Menu: "…​" → Options

  • Select the View tab in the Folder Options popup window

    • Select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”

    • Un-check “Hide extensions for known file types”

    • Click Apply on the lower right

    • Click Apply to Folders inside the upper "Folder views" (and say Yes)

win11 file view

1.3. Set up Thonny

Your morning activity already used Thonny, but we need to install and use the absolute latest version of it to get some bug fixes. We will turn on some more useful options and help ensure that everyone’s screen looks similar, making tutorials easier to follow.

1.3.1. Install Thonny

  • Go to: This PC → Shared Drive (S:) → COE →
    COEguest Shared → Robotics → software

  • Copy thonny-4.1.7.exe to your machine (Documents or Desktop)

  • From there, select (left-click) on thonny-4.1.7.exe

  • then right-click → select “Run as administrator”

  • (have instructor enter password and begin setup)

thonny install

1.3.2. Pin Thonny to the Taskbar

  • Click Start menu → Search for “Thonny”

  • Right-click → “Pin to taskbar”

win11 thonny pin

1.3.3. Change Thonny’s settings on your machine

  • Menu: View → check all of:

    • Files

    • Outline

    • Shell

thonny settings view

  • Menu: Tools → Options

    General tab

  • Check "Reopen all files"

thonny options general
Interpreter tab

  • Select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico)

thonny options interpreter
Editor tab

  • Check all boxes except "Indent with tab"

  • Set "Recommended maximum line length" to 88.

thonny options editor
Shell tab

  • Un-check "Clear Shell"

  • Change "Maximum number of lines" to 10,000

  • Close Thonny to save the new settings.

Done!

Go back to day1