Description
Type: Bug
Behaviour
On windows, when I select a python venv (via Ctrl+MAj+P) or via python.defaultInterpreterPath value, the venv is not catched, and VS Code use the target of my venv python.exe symlink
Steps to reproduce:
-
on windows, create a venv with python.exe symbolic link instead of copy. You will need admin mode :
cd c:\temp
python -m venv --symlink my_venv -
create a new VS Code workspace with .vscode/settings.json with the content {"python.defaultInterpreterPath": "C:/temp/my_venv/Scripts/python.exe"}
-
Edit a python file, you will see that the "python locator" in the bottom blue bar is not your venv, but the default version of python of your system.
Diagnostic data
Output for Python in the Output panel 2025-06-23 23:42:54.243 [info] Native locator: Refresh started
2025-06-23 23:42:54.348 [info] Native locator: Refresh started
2025-06-23 23:42:54.411 [info] > pyenv which python
2025-06-23 23:42:54.411 [info] cwd: .
2025-06-23 23:42:54.584 [info] Native locator: Refresh finished in 333 ms
2025-06-23 23:42:54.597 [info] Active interpreter [c:\temp\carto\Report]: C:/temp/my_venv/Scripts/python.exe
2025-06-23 23:42:54.613 [info] Python interpreter path: ~\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-06-23 23:42:55.975 [info] Starting Jedi language server for Report.
2025-06-23 23:43:00.595 [info] Shell integration status changed, can confirm it's working.
Extension version: 2025.9.2025062001
VS Code version: Code 1.101.1 (18e3a1ec544e6907be1e944a94c496e302073435, 2025-06-18T13:35:12.605Z)
OS version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
Modes:
- Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.13.5
- Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): System
- Value of the
python.languageServersetting: Default
User Settings
languageServer: "Jedi"
Installed Extensions
| Extension Name | Extension Id | Version |
|---|---|---|
| js-debug | ms- | 1.100.1 |
| js-debug-companion | ms- | 1.1.3 |
| python | ms- | 2025.9.2025062001 |
| vscode-js-profile-table | ms- | 1.0.10 |
System Info
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| CPUs | Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz (8 x 1498) |
| GPU Status | 2d_canvas: enabled canvas_oop_rasterization: enabled_on direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled vulkan: disabled_off webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off |
| Load (avg) | undefined |
| Memory (System) | 15.59GB (3.38GB free) |
| Process Argv | --crash-reporter-id 43fa8202-045d-474d-8e14-cb506e4c1067 |
| Screen Reader | no |
| VM | 0% |
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