Can't update python version in spyder 3 from 2.7 to 3.6 or any other version

Question

None of this helps me. I'm trying to update my python version from 2.7 to 3.6 or higher while using spyder 3. I did the conda install python==3.6 in the console. It did a bunch of stuff and now says:

To activate this environment, use

     $ conda activate py36

 To deactivate an active environment, use

     $ conda deactivate

So I put in command and I get this:

(base) C:\>$ conda activate py36
'$' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

I also went to spyder \tools\preferences Use this Python interpreter, Clicked the down arrow there is no path for anything and I don't know where python 3.6 is now stored. I'm new at this, any help greatly appreciated I've been at this all day no luck.