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Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371

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Closed
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371

Description

@adrianghc
adrianghc
opened on Jun 17, 2026

Install source and version

  • Installed from the Windows Store
  • Installed with the MSIX from python.org
  • Installed with the MSI from python.org
  • Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T

Version: 26.2

Describe the bug
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.

Unable to run == the following error appears:

********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

This is the output of py list:

Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Install pymanager from any source.
  2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
  3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.

Expected behavior
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.

Additional context
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:

Image

These are my app alias settings:

ImageImage

Metadata

Metadata

Assignees

No one assigned

    Labels

    No labels
    No labels

    Projects

    No projects

    Milestone

    No milestone

    Relationships

    None yet

    Development

    No branches or pull requests

    Issue actions

    , 'i'); if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) { // Add copy buttons to all 
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(function() {
function addCopyButtons() {
document.querySelectorAll('pre code').forEach(function(codeBlock) {
if (codeBlock.parentElement.hasAttribute('data-copy-added')) return;
codeBlock.parentElement.setAttribute('data-copy-added', 'true');
var btn = document.createElement('button');
btn.textContent = 'Copy';
btn.style.cssText = 'position:absolute;top:4px;right:4px;padding:2px 8px;font-size:11px;background:#4ecdc4;border:none;border-radius:4px;color:#1a1a2e;cursor:pointer;opacity:0.7;transition:opacity 0.2s;';
btn.onmouseover = function() { this.style.opacity = '1'; };
btn.onmouseout = function() { this.style.opacity = '0.7'; };
btn.onclick = function() {
navigator.clipboard.writeText(codeBlock.textContent).then(function() {
btn.textContent = 'Copied!';
setTimeout(function() { btn.textContent = 'Copy'; }, 1500);
});
};
codeBlock.parentElement.style.position = 'relative';
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observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Add Copy Buttons to Code Blocks]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "github.com";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + "github\\.com" + '
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
    Skip to content
    Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
    Closed
    Closed
    Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
    Description
    @adrianghc
    adrianghc
    opened on Jun 17, 2026
    Install source and version
    •  Installed from the Windows Store
    •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
    •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
    •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
    Version: 26.2
    Describe the bug
    
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
    Unable to run == the following error appears:
    ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

    This is the output of py list:
    Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

    It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
    To Reproduce
    
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
    1. Install pymanager from any source.
    2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
    3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
    Expected behavior
    
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
    Additional context
    
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
    Image
    These are my app alias settings:
    ImageImage
    Metadata
    Metadata
    Assignees
    No one assigned
      Labels
      No labels
      No labels
      Projects
      No projects
      Milestone
      No milestone
      Relationships
      None yet
      Development
      No branches or pull requests
      Issue actions
      
, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Force GitHub README to respect dark mode
(function() {
var style = document.createElement('style');
style.textContent = '
.markdown-body {
color-scheme: dark light;
}
.markdown-body pre { background: #161b22 !important; }
.markdown-body code { background: rgba(110, 118, 129, 0.4) !important; }
.markdown-body table th, .markdown-body table td { border-color: #30363d !important; }
.markdown-body img { background: #0d1117; }
.markdown-body blockquote { border-left-color: #8b949e; }
.markdown-body hr { border-color: #30363d; }
';
document.head.appendChild(style);
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:GitHub Dark Mode README Fix]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
      Skip to content
      Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
      Closed
      Closed
      Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
      Description
      @adrianghc
      adrianghc
      opened on Jun 17, 2026
      Install source and version
      •  Installed from the Windows Store
      •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
      •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
      •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
      Version: 26.2
      Describe the bug
      
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
      Unable to run == the following error appears:
      ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

      This is the output of py list:
      Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

      It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
      To Reproduce
      
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
      1. Install pymanager from any source.
      2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
      3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
      Expected behavior
      
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
      Additional context
      
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
      Image
      These are my app alias settings:
      ImageImage
      Metadata
      Metadata
      Assignees
      No one assigned
        Labels
        No labels
        No labels
        Projects
        No projects
        Milestone
        No milestone
        Relationships
        None yet
        Development
        No branches or pull requests
        Issue actions
        
, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Highlight search terms from Google/DuckDuckGo/Bing referrer
(function() {
var ref = document.referrer;
var terms = [];
if (ref.includes('google.com') || ref.includes('duckduckgo.com') || ref.includes('bing.com')) {
var url = new URL(ref);
var q = url.searchParams.get('q') || url.searchParams.get('p');
if (q) {
terms = q.split(/\s+/).filter(function(t) { return t.length > 2; });
}
}
if (terms.length === 0) return;
var style = document.createElement('style');
style.textContent = '.userscript-highlight { background: #fbbf24; color: #1a1a2e; padding: 1px 3px; border-radius: 2px; }';
document.head.appendChild(style);
function highlight(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 3) { // text node
var text = node.textContent;
var found = false;
terms.forEach(function(term) {
var regex = new RegExp('(' + term.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\') + ')', 'gi');
if (regex.test(text)) {
found = true;
var frag = document.createDocumentFragment();
var parts = text.split(regex);
parts.forEach(function(part, i) {
if (i % 2 === 0) {
frag.appendChild(document.createTextNode(part));
} else {
var span = document.createElement('span');
span.className = 'userscript-highlight';
span.textContent = part;
frag.appendChild(span);
}
});
node.parentNode.replaceChild(frag, node);
}
});
} else if (node.nodeType === 1 && node.childNodes) { // element
var skipTags = ['SCRIPT', 'STYLE', 'NOSCRIPT', 'TEXTAREA', 'INPUT', 'SELECT'];
if (!skipTags.includes(node.tagName)) {
Array.from(node.childNodes).forEach(highlight);
}
}
}
highlight(document.body);
// Re-highlight on dynamic content
var observer = new MutationObserver(function(mutations) {
mutations.forEach(function(m) {
m.addedNodes.forEach(function(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 1 || node.nodeType === 3) highlight(node);
});
});
});
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Highlight Search Terms]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
        Skip to content
        Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
        Closed
        Closed
        Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
        Description
        @adrianghc
        adrianghc
        opened on Jun 17, 2026
        Install source and version
        •  Installed from the Windows Store
        •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
        •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
        •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
        Version: 26.2
        Describe the bug
        
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
        Unable to run == the following error appears:
        ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

        This is the output of py list:
        Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

        It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
        To Reproduce
        
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
        1. Install pymanager from any source.
        2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
        3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
        Expected behavior
        
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
        Additional context
        
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
        Image
        These are my app alias settings:
        ImageImage
        Metadata
        Metadata
        Assignees
        No one assigned
          Labels
          No labels
          No labels
          Projects
          No projects
          Milestone
          No milestone
          Relationships
          None yet
          Development
          No branches or pull requests
          Issue actions
          
, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Strip utm_, fbclid, gclid, etc. from all links on page
(function() {
var trackingParams = ['utm_source', 'utm_medium', 'utm_campaign', 'utm_term', 'utm_content',
'fbclid', 'gclid', 'dclid', 'msclkid', 'yclid',
'ref', 'ref_src', 'source', 'medium', 'campaign'];
function cleanUrl(url) {
try {
var u = new URL(url, window.location.origin);
var changed = false;
trackingParams.forEach(function(p) {
if (u.searchParams.has(p)) {
u.searchParams.delete(p);
changed = true;
}
});
return changed ? u.toString() : url;
} catch (e) {
return url;
}
}
function cleanLinks() {
document.querySelectorAll('a[href]').forEach(function(a) {
var clean = cleanUrl(a.href);
if (clean !== a.href) a.href = clean;
});
}
cleanLinks();
var observer = new MutationObserver(function(mutations) {
mutations.forEach(function(m) {
m.addedNodes.forEach(function(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 1) {
if (node.tagName === 'A') cleanLinks();
node.querySelectorAll('a[href]').forEach(function(a) {
var clean = cleanUrl(a.href);
if (clean !== a.href) a.href = clean;
});
}
});
});
});
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Remove Tracking Parameters from Links]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "youtube.com";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + "youtube\\.com" + '
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
          Skip to content
          Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
          Closed
          Closed
          Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
          Description
          @adrianghc
          adrianghc
          opened on Jun 17, 2026
          Install source and version
          •  Installed from the Windows Store
          •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
          •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
          •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
          Version: 26.2
          Describe the bug
          
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
          Unable to run == the following error appears:
          ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

          This is the output of py list:
          Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

          It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
          To Reproduce
          
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
          1. Install pymanager from any source.
          2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
          3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
          Expected behavior
          
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
          Additional context
          
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
          Image
          These are my app alias settings:
          ImageImage
          Metadata
          Metadata
          Assignees
          No one assigned
            Labels
            No labels
            No labels
            Projects
            No projects
            Milestone
            No milestone
            Relationships
            None yet
            Development
            No branches or pull requests
            Issue actions
            
, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Auto-enable theater mode on YouTube
(function() {
function tryTheater() {
var btn = document.querySelector('button[aria-label="Theater mode"], ytd-player #player button[title="Theater mode"]');
if (btn && !btn.classList.contains('activated')) {
btn.click();
}
}
// Try immediately
tryTheater();
// Try after navigation (SPA)
var lastUrl = location.href;
setInterval(function() {
if (location.href !== lastUrl) {
lastUrl = location.href;
setTimeout(tryTheater, 500);
}
}, 1000);
// Also try on player load
var observer = new MutationObserver(tryTheater);
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:YouTube Theater Mode Default]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
            Skip to content
            Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
            Closed
            Closed
            Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
            Description
            @adrianghc
            adrianghc
            opened on Jun 17, 2026
            Install source and version
            •  Installed from the Windows Store
            •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
            •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
            •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
            Version: 26.2
            Describe the bug
            
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
            Unable to run == the following error appears:
            ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

            This is the output of py list:
            Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

            It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
            To Reproduce
            
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
            1. Install pymanager from any source.
            2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
            3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
            Expected behavior
            
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
            Additional context
            
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
            Image
            These are my app alias settings:
            ImageImage
            Metadata
            Metadata
            Assignees
            No one assigned
              Labels
              No labels
              No labels
              Projects
              No projects
              Milestone
              No milestone
              Relationships
              None yet
              Development
              No branches or pull requests
              Issue actions
              
, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Remove or un-stick sticky/fixed headers that block content
(function() {
function unstick() {
document.querySelectorAll('header, nav, [role="banner"], .header, .navbar, .sticky, .fixed-top, [style*="position: fixed"], [style*="position:sticky"]').forEach(function(el) {
if (el.style.position === 'fixed' || el.style.position === 'sticky' || getComputedStyle(el).position === 'fixed' || getComputedStyle(el).position === 'sticky') {
el.style.position = 'static';
el.style.top = 'auto';
el.style.zIndex = 'auto';
}
});
}
unstick();
var observer = new MutationObserver(unstick);
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true, attributes: true, attributeFilter: ['style', 'class'] });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Kill Sticky Headers]', __e); }
})();
})();
Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 · Issue #371 · python/pymanager · GitHub
              Skip to content
              Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3 #371
              Closed
              Closed
              Unable to run Python distribution by running python or python3#371
              Description
              @adrianghc
              adrianghc
              opened on Jun 17, 2026
              Install source and version
              •  Installed from the Windows Store
              •  Installed with the MSIX from python.org
              •  Installed with the MSI from python.org
              •  Installed with winget install 9NQ7512CXL7T
              Version: 26.2
              Describe the bug
              
I am unable to run my default Python version by running python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe. Only the exact version works, e.g., python3.14. No other Python versions are installed.
              Unable to run == the following error appears:
              ********************************************************************************
The signature for https://www.python.org/ftp/python/index-windows.json was successfully verified.
Python 3.14.6 is already installed.
To see all available commands, run 'py help'
********************************************************************************
[ERROR] No runtimes are installed. Try running "py install default" first.

              This is the output of py list:
              Tag Name Managed By Version Alias
3.14[-64] Python 3.14.6 PythonCore 3.14.6 python3[-64].exe, python3.14[-64].exe

              It does not matter whether I installed pymanager via the Store, WinGet, the MSIX or the MSI; the error is always the same. It also does not matter whether %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin is in PATH or not.
              To Reproduce
              
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
              1. Install pymanager from any source.
              2. Open pymanager on a terminal and run setup.
              3. Run python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe in the same or a new terminal.
              Expected behavior
              
The Python distribution that was just installed should be invokable via python, python.exe, python3 or python3.exe.
              Additional context
              
These are my contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\Python\bin:
              Image
              These are my app alias settings:
              ImageImage
              Metadata
              Metadata
              Assignees
              No one assigned
                Labels
                No labels
                No labels
                Projects
                No projects
                Milestone
                No milestone
                Relationships
                None yet
                Development
                No branches or pull requests
                Issue actions