It looks like Anaconda does not come with the py launcher. Some workarounds are on Python and Windows: Where is the Python launcher?.

The standard 3.x Python installers for Windows (I think from Python 3.3 and onward) have an option to also install the py launcher. See the screenshots below. As far as I know, it is even selected by default.

After that, you can include Python shebang lines as documented, e.g.,

  • here: 4.1. Python install manager, or
  • if you want to have a shorter version: Multiple versions of Python on Windows

Note that (as explained here):

The launcher is restricted to launching Python scripts. It is not intended as a general-purpose script launcher or shebang processor.

Screenshots:

Answer from Rabarberski on Stack Overflow
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Python
peps.python.org › pep-0397
PEP 397 – Python launcher for Windows | peps.python.org
These 2 facilities combined allow for a portable and somewhat predictable way of both starting Python interactively and for allowing Python scripts to execute. This PEP describes an implementation of a launcher which can offer the same benefits for Python on the Windows platform and therefore allows the launcher to be the executable associated with ‘.py’ files to support multiple Python versions concurrently.
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Microsoft Store
apps.microsoft.com › detail › 9nq7512cxl7t
Python Install Manager - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store
The Python install manager helps you to install, manage, and launch Python on Windows. After install, the "py" command is your tool of choice - try "py help" to see what it can do!
Discussions

How to install Python launcher - Stack Overflow
I want to run a Python script using "Python launcher", so that I can use a shebang line to specify the Python environment for each individual script. I installed Python 3.6 from Anaconda. However, when I type "py" in the Conda prompt or Windows CMD, it says More on stackoverflow.com
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Py launcher missing (Windows)
Ok repair did the Trick More on reddit.com
🌐 r/learnpython
2
2
May 5, 2023
Py launcher: register a python install that's not found?
How to instruct the Windows py.exe launcher about python installs it doesn’t find automatically? » py -0p -V:3.12 * C:\apps\python\python.exe -V:2.7-32 C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.8\python.exe I want it to als… More on discuss.python.org
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October 17, 2023
Python and Windows: Where is the Python launcher? - Stack Overflow
I'm trying to use different versions of Python on Windows 7, and I was told that I can use the "Python launcher" But where is this program? I heard it should be called py.exe, but there is no file with this name on my computer. Where should it be? If I don't have it, how can I install it? ... It should be in the root directory of Python 3.3 installs and higher. It is not available for ... More on stackoverflow.com
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Microsoft Store
apps.microsoft.com › detail › 9nvlzk576p16
Easy Python Launcher 26 Pro - Download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store
July 7, 2026 - Professional Multi-Environment Python Launcher & Workflow Automation Manager. Effortless Environment Switching, Batch Automation, & Custom Executable Execution. [Core Features] # Python Envs: Quick-switch between Python versions.
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Softonic
python-launcher.en.softonic.com › home › windows › utilities & tools › python launcher
Python Launcher - Download
January 14, 2026 - Python Launcher is a utility designed for Windows that facilitates the management of multiple Python versions on a single machine. Its primary feature is version management, enabling users to install and run different Python versions, such as ...
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Python
docs.python.org › 3 › using › windows.html
4. Using Python on Windows — Python 3.15.2 documentation
The Python launcher for Windows is a utility which aids in locating and executing of different Python versions.
Find elsewhere
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InfoWorld
infoworld.com › home › software development › programming languages › python
How to use Python’s py launcher for Windows | InfoWorld
July 19, 2023 - Take control of multiple Python installations in Windows with the py launcher, available as part of a standard Python installation.
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Python
python.org › downloads
Download Python | Python.org
1 week ago - For most Unix systems, you must download and compile the source code. The same source code archive can also be used to build the Windows and Mac versions, and is the starting point for ports to all other platforms.
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GitHub
github.com › oleksis › pylauncher
GitHub - oleksis/pylauncher: Python Launcher for Windows · GitHub
Variants of the launcher ------------------------ There are four variants of the launcher MSI which you can download: launcher.msi 32-bit launcher, installs to \Program Files\Python Launcher launcher.amd64.msi 64-bit launcher, installs to \Program Files\Python Launcher launchwin.msi 32-bit launcher, installs to \Windows launchwin.amd64.msi 64-bit launcher, installs to \Windows One advantage of the versions which install to the Windows folder is that you can invoke the launcher itself more easily, using just "py" or "pyw", as the Windows folder is on the PATH for both 32-bit and 64-bit executables.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/sysadmin › python launcher update
r/sysadmin on Reddit: Python Launcher Update
August 1, 2024 - I have several programmers on Windows machines that I’ve been alerted to that need to have the python launcher updated. From what I understand, the…
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Python
python.org › downloads › windows
Python Releases for Windows | Python.org
Note that Python 3.13.17 cannot be used on Windows 7 or earlier.
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DigitalOcean
digitalocean.com › community › tutorials › install-python-windows-10
How to Install Python on Windows | DigitalOcean
September 26, 2025 - Learn how to install Python on Windows. This guide covers downloading Python, setting up PATH, verifying installation, and running your first script.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnpython › py launcher missing (windows)
r/learnpython on Reddit: Py launcher missing (Windows)
May 5, 2023 -

Hi,

I just installed the latest version of python for my user (no admin) and checked the py launcher box during installation, but no launcher was installed. The appdata\local\progams folder does not contain the launcher folder.

Is this an issue? Can I install the launcher separately with another installler because the full installer does not install it, even if modifying the current installation

Thx

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Barenakedcoder
barenakedcoder.com › blog › 2020 › 03 › python-launcher-for-the-windows
Python Launcher For The Win(dows) | BareNakedCoder.com
March 29, 2020 - Python Launcher for Windows is part of the Python for Windows install bundle from python.org. It was added in Python 3.3 (Sept, 2012) It is installed by default when you install Python (unless you unwisely deselect it). Also, it was the result of PEP-397 (started in 2011; accepted in 2012).
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Winstall
winstall.app › apps › Python.Launcher
Install Python Launcher with WinGet | winstall
The Python launcher for Windows is a utility which aids in locating and executing of different Python versions. It allows scripts (or the command-line) to indicate a preference for a specific Python version, and will locate and execute that version.
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Python.org
discuss.python.org › python help
Py launcher: register a python install that's not found? - Python Help - Discussions on Python.org
October 17, 2023 - How to instruct the Windows py.exe launcher about python installs it doesn’t find automatically? » py -0p -V:3.12 * C:\apps\python\python.exe -V:2.7-32 C:\Python27\ArcGIS10.8\python.exe I want it to als…
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 4238519 › multiple-python-versions-installed-how-to-set-the
Multiple Python versions installed : how to set the default version for py.exe (Python Launcher for Windows) for CMD and for “Open with” - Microsoft Q&A
June 26, 2021 - I have set another environment variable PY_PYTHON to PY_PYTHON=3.6. ... The Windows documentation says that The py.exe launcher will automatically select the most recent version of Python you've installed, so I reinstalled Python 3.6 (after ...
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › dev-environment › python
Python on Windows for beginners | Microsoft Learn
September 14, 2026 - As a standard, it is recommended to use the python3 command (or python3.7 to select a specific version). The py.exe launcher will automatically select the most recent version of Python you've installed.
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Python
docs.python.org › 3 › faq › windows.html
Python on Windows FAQ — Python 3.15.2 documentation
Contents: Python on Windows FAQ- How do I run a Python program under Windows?, How do I make Python scripts executable?, Why does Python sometimes take so long to start?, How do I make an executabl...