Need multiple Python versions on the same Windows PC?
Do not keep replacing one Python with another. Modern Python on Windows can manage multiple runtimes side by side; the key is to select versions explicitly and isolate projects.
First, see which Python runtimes Windows already knows about.
On current Python Install Manager setups, py list shows installed runtimes and which version is current. If your machine uses an older launcher, commands can differ, so do not delete existing versions just because this command behaves differently.
py listInstall a version, then launch it explicitly.
Change 3.13 to the version you actually need. Keeping the version explicit prevents accidental project drift. For project work, create a virtual environment from the chosen runtime instead of globally swapping defaults.
py install 3.13
py -V:3.13 --versionRetest the exact problem — do not assume it is fixed.
The command should report the requested runtime. Then create a per-project virtual environment with that version so dependencies stay isolated.
py -V:3.13 -c "import sys; print(sys.executable); print(sys.version)"Fix complete. 😎
You verified the result instead of stopping after a hopeful change. Save the working interpreter/version/environment details with the project so you can reproduce them later.
Back to Fixes →This guided fix follows current official documentation. ITFixLab does not execute commands for you; you stay in control of your machine.
Python on Windows — Install Manager and multiple runtimes ↗