Anaconda had not updated Python internally to 3.6, but later versions of Anaconda has a Python 3.6 version here.

a) Method 1

  1. If you wanted to update, you will type conda update python

  2. To update Anaconda, type conda update conda

  3. If you want to upgrade between major python versions, like 3.5 to 3.6, you'll have to do

    conda install python=$pythonversion$
    

b) Method 2 - Create a new environment (the better method)

conda create --name py36 python=3.6

c) To get the absolute latest Python (3.6.5 at time of writing)

conda create --name py365 python=3.6.5 --channel conda-forge

You can see all this from here.

Also, refer to this for force upgrading.

Answer from Moulick on Stack Overflow
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Conda
docs.conda.io › projects › conda › en › stable › user-guide › tasks › manage-python.html
Managing Python — conda 26.3.2 documentation
conda config --add channels conda-forge conda config --set channel_priority strict conda create -n pypy pypy conda activate pypy · To switch to an environment that has different version of Python, activate the environment. To update Python to the latest version in your environment, run:
Discussions

`conda update python` does not actually update the python version
Current Behavior I am trying to update to a newer version of python (3.8 -> 3.9) in one of the conda environments. However, trying to do so, conda wants to update all sorts of packages installed in the environment, but not the actual Pyt... More on github.com
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April 24, 2021
How can I update to the latest Python version using conda? - Stack Overflow
I am new to Python. I was asked to update to the latest Python version using conda. So far, I have installed Anaconda on my Mac. So I am mainly using the Terminal. Thank you in advance. More on stackoverflow.com
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Upgrading python - How do I ... ? - Conda Community Forum
How can I upgrade my python 3.1 to the newest version? I have miniconda installed and just updated that. Once I upgrade, will it be accessible in all my conda environments? Many thanks! More on conda.discourse.group
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June 7, 2024
Not able to update python and conda to latest version using anaconda prompt - Anaconda & Miniconda - Anaconda Forum
I have done conda update conda ,it shows Collecting package metadata (current_repodata.json): done Solving environment: done ==> WARNING: A newer version of conda exists. <== current version: 4.10.3 latest version: … More on forum.anaconda.com
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August 25, 2023
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnpython › is it possible to upgrade python in anaconda?
r/learnpython on Reddit: Is it possible to upgrade Python in Anaconda?
January 30, 2023 -

I noticed in answering a question that my Python was at 3.7.something, so I thought I'd upgrade. I wanted to experiment with the walrus operator, which began with 3.8. I run Python in Spyder, launched from Anaconda. My package management is done with conda.

So I did this:

conda update anaconda  (worked fine, but I noticed all the python stuff was "py37*")
conda install spyder=5.3.3 (all requested packages already installed)

Launched Python to check: I'm at 3.7.13.

So I tried this:

conda install -c anaconda python=3.10

As with most of my installs, it detected conflicts. I got this message. "Found conflicts! Looking for incompatible packages. This can take several minutes. Press CTRL-C to abort."

At this point it's been running at least 3 days. This happened also when I tried with 3.11 but I interrupted it after a day or two. I'm curious to see what happens so I'm letting it run to completion.

Should I be able to upgrade past 3.7 in Anaconda? What does it mean when a conda install that "can take several minutes" runs for days?

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docs.conda.io › projects › conda › en › 23.1.x › user-guide › tasks › manage-python.html
Managing Python — conda 23.1.0 documentation
conda config --add channels conda-forge conda config --set channel_priority strict conda create -n pypy pypy conda activate pypy · To switch to an environment that has different version of Python, activate the environment. Use the terminal or an Anaconda Prompt for the following steps. If you are in an environment with Python version 3.4.2, the following command updates Python to the latest version in the 3.4 branch:
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Nocomplexity
nocomplexity.com › documents › pythonbook › updatepython.html
Update Python Version using Conda — Simplify Python Coding
Activate the conda environment you wish to update. Within this environment, run the installation command, specifying the currently installed minor version: ... This will update your Python version to the latest 3.13.x release available in the conda channels, ensuring you remain on the 3.13 ...
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docs.conda.io › projects › conda › en › latest › user-guide › tasks › manage-python.html
Managing Python — conda 26.3.3.dev38 documentation
conda config --add channels conda-forge conda config --set channel_priority strict conda create -n pypy pypy conda activate pypy · To switch to an environment that has different version of Python, activate the environment. To update Python to the latest version in your environment, run:
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GitHub
github.com › conda › conda › issues › 10634
`conda update python` does not actually update the python version · Issue #10634 · conda/conda
April 24, 2021 - (myenv) % conda update -d python ~ Collecting package metadata (current_repodata.json): done Solving environment: / Warning: 2 possible package resolutions (only showing differing packages): - conda-forge/noarch::decorator-4.4.2-py_0, ...
Author   MatusGasparik
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Top answer
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40

Inside of conda environment, you can update python to latest as follow:

conda update python

Or you can upgrade or downgrade the environment python version:

conda install python=3.10

Updating or Upgrading Python

2 of 4
27

Open conda shell prompt. (On Windows Anaconda Powershell Prompt)

You first check

conda search python

You will get all the supported versions. It may look like:

Loading channels: done
# Name                       Version           Build  Channel
python                        2.7.13     h1b6d89f_16  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.13     h9912b81_15  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.13     hb034564_12  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h2765ee6_18  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h3e68818_15  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h4084c39_22  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h4a10d90_30  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h4a10d90_31  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h59f5a59_20  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h819644d_16  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.14     h8c3f1cb_23  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      h2880e7c_2  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      h2880e7c_3  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      h2880e7c_4  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15     hcb6e200_15  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      hcb6e200_5  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      hcb6e200_7  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.15      he216670_0  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.16      hcb6e200_0  pkgs/main
python                        2.7.17      h930f6bb_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.4     h1357f44_23  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.4     hc495aa9_21  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.4     hd3c4935_11  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.4     hdec4e59_20  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.4     hedc2606_15  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.5      h0c2934d_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.5      h0c2934d_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.5      h0c2934d_2  pkgs/main
python                         3.5.6      he025d50_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.2     h09676a0_15  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.2     h6679aeb_11  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.3      h210ce5f_2  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.3      h3389d20_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.3      h3b118a2_4  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.3      h9e2ca53_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.4      h0c2934d_2  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.4      h0c2934d_3  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.4      h6538335_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.4      h6538335_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.5      h0c2934d_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.6      hea74fb7_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.7      h33f27b4_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.7      h33f27b4_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.7      h9f7ef89_2  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.8      h9f7ef89_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.8      h9f7ef89_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.8      h9f7ef89_7  pkgs/main
python                         3.6.9      h5500b2f_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.0      hea74fb7_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.1      h33f27b4_3  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.1      h33f27b4_4  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.1      h8c8aaf0_6  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.1      he44a216_5  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.2      h8c8aaf0_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.2     h8c8aaf0_10  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.2      h8c8aaf0_2  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.3      h8c8aaf0_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.3      h8c8aaf0_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.4      h5263a28_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.7.5      h8c8aaf0_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.8.0      hff0d562_0  pkgs/main
python                         3.8.0      hff0d562_1  pkgs/main
python                         3.8.0      hff0d562_2  pkgs/main

Then simple select the version conda install python=3.8.0 if this is the last version.

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Conda
docs.conda.io › projects › conda › en › 23.9.x › user-guide › tasks › manage-python.html
Managing Python — conda 23.9.1.dev1 documentation
conda config --add channels conda-forge conda config --set channel_priority strict conda create -n pypy pypy conda activate pypy · To switch to an environment that has different version of Python, activate the environment. Use the terminal or an Anaconda Prompt for the following steps. If you are in an environment with Python version 3.4.2, the following command updates Python to the latest version in the 3.4 branch:
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Conda Community
conda.discourse.group › users › how do i ... ?
Upgrading python - How do I ... ? - Conda Community Forum
June 7, 2024 - How can I upgrade my python 3.1 to the newest version? I have miniconda installed and just updated that. Once I upgrade, will it be accessible in all my conda environments? Many thanks!
🌐
Conda
docs.conda.io › projects › conda › en › 4.12.x › user-guide › tasks › manage-python.html
Managing Python — conda 4.12.0 documentation
conda config conda config --add channels conda-forge conda config --set channel_priority strict conda create -n pypy pypy conda activate pypy · To switch to an environment that has different version of Python, activate the environment. Use the terminal or an Anaconda Prompt for the following steps. If you are in an environment with Python version 3.4.2, the following command updates Python to the latest version in the 3.4 branch:
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forum.anaconda.com › product help › anaconda & miniconda
Not able to update python and conda to latest version using anaconda prompt - Anaconda & Miniconda - Anaconda Forum
August 25, 2023 - I have done conda update conda ,it shows Collecting package metadata (current_repodata.json): done Solving environment: done ==> WARNING: A newer version of conda exists. <== current version: 4.10.3 latest version: …
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acgeospatial.co.uk › python-geospatial-workflows-prt4-anaconda-update37
Python for Geospatial work flows part 4: Updating from Python 3.6 to 3.7 with Anaconda – acgeospatial
April 6, 2020 - Then download the latest version and install. Allow yourself ~20mins to uninstall and reinstall. ... Boom! Python 3.7.7!
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How to update your Python version using Anaconda | by Louise Capener | Medium
July 26, 2021 - How to update your Python version using Anaconda If you’re fairly new to coding you might be intimidated when a library or module requires a python version that you don’t have. Like me, you might …
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Managing Python — conda 4.6.1 documentation
To list only the packages whose full name is exactly python, add the --full-name option. In your Terminal window or an Anaconda Prompt, run: ... To install a different version of Python without overwriting the current version, create a new environment and install the second Python version into it:
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askpython.com › home › a comprehensive guide to upgrading python using conda
A Comprehensive Guide to Upgrading Python Using Conda - AskPython
June 30, 2023 - Anaconda, a powerful data science ... guides you on how to upgrade Python using the Anaconda prompt or Conda environment · In this article we will see how to upgrade your Python to the latest version using the anaconda prompt or the conda environment....
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GitHub
github.com › conda › conda › issues › 12456
Provide docs/recommendations for updating both conda and Python · Issue #12456 · conda/conda
March 7, 2023 - Run conda update conda [and, if relevant, conda update anaconda] as suggested in the anaconda docs and conda docs. For older versions of Python (e.g.
Author   JessicaS11
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GitHub
github.com › conda › conda › issues › 8633
Unable to upgrade to the latest Python version in Anaconda · Issue #8633 · conda/conda
May 7, 2019 - Solving environment: done ==> WARNING: A newer version of conda exists. <== current version: 4.5.11 latest version: 4.6.14 Please update conda by running $ conda update -n base -c defaults conda # All requested packages already installed.
Author   hazzaldo
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Chris35wills
chris35wills.github.io › conda_python_version
Changing your Python version with Anaconda
January 11, 2016 - To change your python version, you can now just type: conda install python=3.5.0 # or maybe conda install python=2.7.8 # or whatever you want....