Python3.8 venv returned exit status 101

Question

I found similar posts, mostly related to linux on venv having an issue with working. python 3.8 venv missing activate command However, I am confused on how to solve it on windows, and what is happening.

I installed python3.8 from downloading it on pythons website. Then I follow the 3.8 documentation https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html which shows:

python3 -m venv /path/to/new/virtual/environment

I do this but then get the following error:

Error: Command '['E:\\py_envs\\hf4\\Scripts\\python.exe', '-Im', 'ensurepip', '--upgrade', '--default-pip']' returned non-zero exit status 101.

When I use: python -m venv --without-pip hf4

and then hf4\Scripts\activate

It works for activation. What I don't understand is that I can then run pip and it is there during the activated environment. It seems a maybe related issue, is that anything I have installed on my system python is also available. For example, in the activated session:

(hf4) E:\py_envs>where pip
C:\Users\local user\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38\Scripts\pip.exe

One question is naturally how to fix this, the other is that I would appreciate an explanation as to what is happening to better understand it. Does it search first for the active environment, and if it can't find it, defaults to a system version?

Answer 1

I had the same problem (with both Python 3.7 and 3.8), I believe it was due to a Windows update when I enrolled in the Windows Insiders program, but that could have just been a coincidence.

PS C:\Users\Your Name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38> ./python -m venv c:\TEMP\py38-venv
Error: Command '['c:\\TEMP\\py38-venv\\Scripts\\python.exe', '-Im', 'ensurepip', '--upgrade', '--default-pip']' returned non-zero exit status 101.

This worked around the problem in my case:

• Uninstall Python.
• Install with the Custom option.
• Use the "Install for all users".

After this it worked fine:

PS C:\Utilities\PythonBase\Python38> .\python -m venv c:\temp\venv-py38
PS C:\Utilities\PythonBase\Python38>

Of course you'll have to go through and fix any venvs you've been using, but if you're in the same situation as me they won't have been working anyway.

Answer 2

Thanks. I faced the same issue and this thread worked around for me. I uninstalled Python and installed 3.9. Python version (which was available for me at the time) checking "Install for all users" in advanced installing. Remember to check "Add the PATH" box so that you can run Python from the command prompt.

Answer 3

I unistall all newest version and reinstall python 3.7.9 checking "install for all users" option on instalation, try again to create a project.