---
name: Python on Windows — use py launcher
description: Windows Store python/python3 aliases disabled; always use py or jq on DESKTOP-0O8A1RL
type: feedback
originSessionId: bdd13bc7-44b1-4e16-aba8-a3332b0c8b8e
---
Always use `py` (Windows launcher) for Python on this machine, never `python3` or bare `python`.

**Why:** Windows Store app execution aliases for python.exe and python3.exe were disabled (2026-04-20). `python3` now fails cleanly (command not found). `py` at `C:\Windows\py.exe` is the correct entry point and reliably finds Python 3.14 at `C:\Program Files\Python314\python.exe`.

**How to apply:** In any script, doc, or inline command that needs Python: use `py`. For simple JSON extraction from curl output, prefer `jq` (available at `C:\Users\guru\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WinGet\Links\jq.exe`) — no Python needed at all.
