python installation issues on 64 bit Windows 7

I was trying to install matplotlib on 64bit windows with Python 2.6 (32bit as part of ArcGIS 10.0) but the executable failed, barking that it couldn't find Python in the registry.

Creating and executing the following REG file to solve the problem:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python\Pythoncore]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python\Pythoncore\2.6]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python\Pythoncore\2.6\InstallPath]
@="C:\\Python26\\ArcGIS10.0"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Python\Pythoncore\2.6\PythonPath]
@="C:\\Python26\\ArcGIS10.0;C:\\Python26\\ArcGIS10.0\\Lib\\;C:\\Python26\\ArcGIS10.0\\DLLs\\"

References:

1. Valentine's tech log:  64 bit python installation issues on 64 bit Windows 7