cannot create python virtual environment (exit status 101)

Question

When I try to generate a virtual environment, the following error pops up on Windows 11:

PS C:\programming\tmp> python -m venv venv
Error: Command '['C:\\programming\\tmp\\venv\\Scripts\\python.exe', '-Im', 'ensurepip', '--upgrade', '--default-pip']' returned non-zero exit status 101.

I have uninstalled all versions of python I did reinstall python 3.10.1 but the error remains. Based on this post I did try to install it for all users with no success. I also added python to PATH.

My guess is that it is related to pip, since python -m venv --without-pip venv_no_pip works (but I need pip thus this is no good solution).

I would appreciate any hint on what to do since I'm out of ideas.

Have you tried updating pip? python -m pip install --upgrade pip — tevemadar
– tevemadar, Commented Jan 11, 2022 at 17:02
Does this answer your question? Windows Python (<=3.10.2) fails to run `python -m venv .venv` — tevemadar
– tevemadar, Commented Mar 8, 2022 at 11:36

kesh · Accepted Answer · 2022-02-08 22:19:50Z

0

I encountered the same problem (well, all users install did work on my PC) and found a solution. If your python is installed on a path with a space, check out my self-answer

answered Feb 8, 2022 at 22:19

kesh

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2 Comments

user7431005 Over a year ago

This was indeed also the problem on my computer. Surprisingly, it was no problem in the past.

kesh Over a year ago

@user7431005 - right? Some account-specific change in Windows triggers this behavior. I filed a bug report to python, and they acknowledged it. So hopefully it'll get fixed soon

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