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I am getting this message on the VS Code that "Python is not installed. Please download and install python before using the extension."

There is also no *"Python Interpreter"* to select. When I click on it it shows it empty.

I do have Python and Python extension installed and I do have virtual environments set up in the Anaconda navigator but for some reason, I am not able to use them. I tried many ways like reinstalling the Python, Anaconda, and VS Code and also the Python extension for VS code but it's not solving the issue. What could be the reason? I have attached a screenshot of the VS Code as well. Pleae click here to see the screenshot

Thanks for your help.

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  • Is your anaconda installed under the default path? Commented Jun 6, 2020 at 2:11
  • Yes, @alexzshl it's a default installation. Commented Jun 6, 2020 at 8:28
  • venvlauncher.exe is not a valid path as that's not a Python interpreter. Did you create any conda environments with the Python version specified? You can the environment docs to see where the extension looks for environments and interpreters. Commented Jun 8, 2020 at 23:11
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    Did you follow the official documentation, Using Python environments in VS Code ? Commented Jun 10, 2020 at 0:54
  • From the picture you give out, it seems like the VSCode even can't find 'python.exe' on your computer. So, it's better to open a cmd and type in 'python', to check whether it works or not. Maybe the system environment caused it: Although you installed the python or anaconda, you haven't added the path of them to 'PATH'. Or maybe there is something wrong with your anaconda , so it can't find 'python.exe' in it. Commented Jun 11, 2020 at 7:05

9 Answers 9

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I once faced similar problem and i found out that by default vs code looks for /usr/bin/python however in some cases on linux and mac the path is /usr/bin/python3 or 2 , so you can fix it by declaring python3 as default version .

open terminal and type the following command

sudo apt install python-is-python3

check the installation using -

python --version

it should give the output as 3.x.x

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I tried many methods but none worked. So then I removed this extension "Anaconda Extension Pack by Microsoft" and it solved the issue. So anyone facing the same issue might try uninstalling this extension.

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In my case, disabling the IntelliCode extensions fixed this problem.

I faced a similar issue, but without Anaconda. Some times VS Code would detect my python kernel and sometimes it wouldn't, seemingly at random. For some reason my IntelliCode extensions seemed to cause the problem so I disabled them and my problem went away. Since someone else also mentioned disabling some extension, there is a good chance you can resolve your problem by disabling some python-related extensions.

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I reinstalled VS Code as is - not changing existing libraries etc - and now VS Code recognises Python/ paths again. :) After updating to Windows 11 I think it just needed a refresh.

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This is interpreter error. you have to click on interpreter error showing bottom right in vs code then you choose installed latest python version. enter image description here

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What did it for me was adding python to the environment variables (Windows).

  • Find python at "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python310\python.exe"
  • Copy this path
  • In the file explorer right click "This PC" and select properties
  • Click Advanced System Settings in the settings window that will open (blue link on the right)
  • Select Environment Variable -> New -> Add the copied python path
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try clicking the vs code link 'select interpreter path' then manually set the path 'enter interpreter path' to where you saved python. select the version you installed

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I tested this problem.If you open single .py or .ipynb file, install python not working sometimes. for better experince (if you installed python correctly on your system) first install virtualenv by using pip install virtualenv, then create project folder and import files there, then run virtualenv 'your env name for example: venv' then open project folder in VsCode and click install python on top or python interpreter on bottom of VsCode. this works well.

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I had this issue and resolved it by uninstalling the Microsoft-supported(!) Python Environments extension. Take a look at its dismal reviews:
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-python.vscode-python-envs&ssr=false#review-details

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