Re-setting up Python virtual environments in VS Code Insiders! It's a common hiccup when Python installations change.

installing-python3.13.4-windows.md

Here's a step-by-step guide to get you back on track:

1. Ensure VS Code is Using the Correct Python Interpreter

First, let's make sure VS Code knows which Python installation to use as its default.

• Open VS Code Insiders.
• Open the Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P.
• Type Python: Select Interpreter and select the version you have now installed.
• You should see a list of Python interpreters VS Code has detected. Choose the one you intend to use as your global/default Python. If you don't see the correct one, you might need to add its path manually or ensure it's correctly added to your system's PATH environment variable.

Note

Instructions for adding environment variables

Open Windows search: type edit enviroment variables open and we are going to edit the SYSTEM not the USER. Look for PATH select PATH and click EDIT select NEW and add the location of where you installed python. More than likely if you didn't edit default it is located C:\Program Files\Python313\ but if you read before you install It is better to install at the root of C:\Python313\ but either case add this and click OK click NEW again, add C:\Python313\Scripts\and click OKits best to move both to the top of the list, but not needed! Now open PATHEXT and add PY and PYW click OK and your done adding Python to the PATH

2. Create or Re-create a Virtual Environment for Your Project

It's best practice to have a separate virtual environment for each of your Python projects.

• Open your project folder in VS Code.

• Open the integrated terminal in VS Code: Ctrl+\`` (backtick) or go toTerminal > New Terminal`.

• Create the virtual environment: Navigate to your project's root directory in the terminal if you're not already there. Then, run the following command. It's common to name the virtual environment folder .venv or venv:

    python -m venv .venv
  

  (If python still points to an old version, you might need to use python3 or the specific command for your current Python installation, like py -m venv .venv on Windows if you installed from python.org).

• VS Code might prompt you to use this new environment. If you see a pop-up saying "We noticed a new environment has been created. Do you want to select it for the workspace folder?", click "Yes".

3. Select the Virtual Environment's Interpreter for Your Workspace

If VS Code didn't automatically prompt you, or if you need to change it later:

• Open the Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS).
• Type Python: Select Interpreter and select it.
• You should now see your newly created virtual environment in the list (e.g., Python 3.x.x ('.venv': venv)). Select it.
• VS Code will now use the Python interpreter from this .venv folder for this specific workspace. This also means that when you install packages using pip, they will be installed into this isolated environment.

4. Activate the Virtual Environment in the Terminal (Optional but Recommended)

VS Code's Python extension often handles interpreter selection for running and debugging code automatically. However, if you're running Python scripts or pip install commands directly in the integrated terminal, you'll want to activate the environment there too.

• Windows (PowerShell):

    .\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
  

  (If you get an execution policy error, you might need to run Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Process first, just for that terminal session.)

• Windows (Command Prompt - cmd.exe):

    .\.venv\Scripts\activate.bat
  

• Linux (bash/zsh):

    source .venv/bin/activate
  

  You'll know it's activated because your terminal prompt will usually be prefixed with (.venv).

5. Install Project Dependencies

Once your virtual environment is selected and (optionally) activated in the terminal:

• If you have a requirements.txt file:

    pip install -r requirements.txt
  

• Otherwise, install packages as needed:

    pip install <package_name>
  

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Clear Python Interpreter Cache: If VS Code is still confused, open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), type Python: Clear Cache and Reload Window, and select it. This can sometimes resolve stubborn interpreter issues.

• Check settings.json: VS Code stores the selected interpreter path in your workspace's .vscode/settings.json file (e.g., "python.defaultInterpreterPath": ".venv/bin/python" or "python.pythonPath": ".venv\\Scripts\\python.exe"). You can check this file to see what VS Code has configured. Manually editing this is possible but usually not necessary if Python: Select Interpreter works.

• Python Extension: Ensure you have the official Microsoft Python extension installed and enabled in VS Code.

• Restart VS Code: Sometimes, a simple restart of VS Code Insiders can help it pick up the new environment settings.

• .gitignore: Remember to add .venv/ (or whatever you named your virtual environment folder) to your project's .gitignore file so you don't commit it to version control.

     .gitignore.venv/
  

If you follow these steps, your VS Code Insiders setup should be correctly configured to use your project-specific virtual environment. Let me know if you run into any specific error messages or issues along the way