Installing MicroPython on an ESP8266 Module in Windows

Here I describe the short process of loading the MicroPython firmware onto a Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266 WiFi module.

[Adithyagoenkka]

This is the only straightforward tutorial on installing MicroPython via windows i found yet.
Thanks, working on generic esp8266, sept 2019!

[PyroChimp]

Great tutorial, works in 2021. Had to figure out a few things but worked around them and got it working! This video got me further than any other vid on YT.

[ZookeeperJohnG]

SUPER helpful, easiest method I found. One suggestion, we geezers might have difficulty reading your cmd screen

[georgebreckenridge]

As of 12/2019, this is still the best! Others assume too much... thank you..

[DiningRoomProd]

Great Tutorial. Good example of what these type of helpful videos should be. I was struggling with "Help on installing MicroPython firmware" until I came across this perfect, to the point example. Thank You.

[multilecful]

Thank you Joe, the pace of the video is just right so us old fellas can keep up. Its the only guide ive been able to follow. Thanks again. Nigel

[kesterbelgrove]

Really good tutorial. It's still valid in March 2019

[mackyj]

worked like a charm using a esp8266 from Ali express

[hm]

Amazing review, in fact it still works in August 2020.!!!!

[RoboGuro]

Thank you so much! Please make more videos like this. TUtorial on how to program using Micropyton

[ara]

Thanks a lot Mr Joe for the presentation. I got it right.

[DrCogvet]

Thanks again! Still valid early 2020 but had to use easy_install esptool instead of the pip command in my case

[christianrupp]

Works in March 2020 for the ESP32 Board, but you need to add -z 0x1000 instead of the 0 in the write_flash command

[nicobucher]

thanks for this pretty simple and easy working tutorial =)

[huannguyenduc]

Thank you. It's easy to understand

[danielblackbird]

thanks, good job, i had upload problem and fix it by connect to ground (direct to pin (not port))

[svenscheil]

I like your video. It is very helpful. I still have 2 questions: How can i find out the memory size of my ESP8266-12E, in order to select the correct firmware? Is there a special command for the esptool? 2nd question: Which is the recommended way for a windows user to upload python scripts to the ESP8266?

[salvadorsanzone]

Hi Joe. I just uploades the MicroPython to my Wemos D1 board. Just one thing didn't worked for me. When you did the command:
esptool.py -p com6 -c esp8266 -b 115200 write_flash --flash_size=detect 0
It gave me the following lines as a result:
20-v1.12.bin
esptool.py v2.8
Serial port com6
Connecting....
Chip is ESP8266EX
Features: WiFi
Crystal is 26MHz
MAC: 2c:3a:e8:0e:dc:6e
Uploading stub...
Running stub...
Stub running...
Configuring flash size...
Auto-detected Flash size: 4MB
Flash params set to 0x0040
Compressed 619828 bytes to 404070...
Wrote 619828 bytes (404070 compressed) at in 35.4 seconds (effective 139.9 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.
But when I tryed to acces the module with Putty, no answer from it.
I found that some modules needed a slightly different command to get it flashed the right way. Finally the command that worked for me was:
esptool.py -p com6 -c esp8266 -b 115200 write_flash --flash_size=detect -fm dio 0
Notes the added -fm dio extra in the line. It was all.
Great tutorial.

[gerhardlaubscher]

Hi Joe, thank you for the concise and informative 'how to' video. I have Win7 SP1 OS on a laptop. Installed Py for Win 3.6.5, downloaded with pip esptool ver 2.4.0. However, I am unsuccessful in connecting/ erasing the device. (The device is a unit from BangGood, typically with the Rst/Flash buttons) I confirmed that the esp dev is installed propery on com16 (Device is enabled & working accd to devMngr). Somehow Py fails to connect to the esp device.

Procedures -

A) After confirm successful installation of esp device,
I pressed and hold flash,
press & release Rst,
Release Flash.

B) As well as just connecting the device via usb, and not using buttons.

Py fail to connect/erase the device, using this command at cmd prompt :

option 1) esptool.py -p com16 -c esp8266 -b 460800 erase_flash
option 2) esptool.py --port com16 --chip esp8266 --baud 460800 erase_flash


Applied Option 1& 2 in both instances of A)&B)

On both options it fails to connect and erase the device ( I assume that both Opt 1&2 should work?)

Do you have any advise?

You use Win 10?

Thank you for your feedback, time & effort.

Regards,
Gerhard
Cape Town, South Africa

Python fails with error msg >
ctypes.WinError()))
could not open Port 'COM7' : FileNotFoundError
(2, 'The system cannot find the file specified.', None, 2)

Banggood device : Geekcreit ESP8266 CP2102 Prod ID : 1097112

[PeterMelton]

Joe, the process worked like a charm. Outstanding work. What is your experience with the ESP8266 developmental boards that come from China from Aliexpress or Banggood? I am going to try it myself tonight.