diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..85c3dbe91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+git+git://github.com/Rapptz/discord.py.git#egg=discord.py[voice]
+youtube_dl
+imgurpython
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/startRed.bat b/startRed.bat
index 5268d570f..6a76d6bfb 100644
--- a/startRed.bat
+++ b/startRed.bat
@@ -1,4 +1,35 @@
+@echo off
 chcp 65001
+echo.
 pushd %~dp0
-python red.py
-pause
+
+::Attempts to start py launcher without relying on PATH
+%SYSTEMROOT%\py.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO attempt
+%SYSTEMROOT%\py.exe -3.5 red.py
+PAUSE
+GOTO end
+
+::Attempts to start py launcher by relying on PATH
+:attempt
+py.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO lastattempt
+py.exe -3.5 red.py
+PAUSE
+GOTO end
+
+::As a last resort, attempts to start whatever Python there is
+:lastattempt
+python.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO message
+python.exe red.py
+PAUSE
+GOTO end
+
+:message
+echo Couldn't find a valid Python 3.5 installation. Python needs to be installed and available in the PATH environment 
+echo variable. 
+echo https://twentysix26.github.io/Red-Docs/red_win_requirements/#software
+PAUSE
+
+:end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/startRedLoop.bat b/startRedLoop.bat
index 100896f45..bb4851e56 100644
--- a/startRedLoop.bat
+++ b/startRedLoop.bat
@@ -1,9 +1,37 @@
-@Echo off
+@echo off
 chcp 65001
+echo.
 pushd %~dp0
-:Start
 
-python red.py
+:loopstart
+
+::Attempts to start py launcher without relying on PATH
+%SYSTEMROOT%\py.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO attempt
+%SYSTEMROOT%\py.exe -3.5 red.py
 timeout 3
+GOTO loopstart
 
-goto Start
+::Attempts to start py launcher by relying on PATH
+:attempt
+py.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO lastattempt
+py.exe -3.5 red.py
+timeout 3
+GOTO loopstart
+
+::As a last resort, attempts to start whatever Python there is
+:lastattempt
+python.exe --version > NUL 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 GOTO message
+python.exe red.py
+timeout 3
+GOTO loopstart
+
+:message
+echo Couldn't find a valid Python 3.5 installation. Python needs to be installed and available in the PATH environment 
+echo variable. 
+echo https://twentysix26.github.io/Red-Docs/red_win_requirements/#software
+PAUSE
+
+:end
\ No newline at end of file