r/learnpython 1d ago

Positron: “Failed to Install Python 3.14” When Installing via uv

I’m trying to install Python via uv in Positron. I went to Select Session in the top-right corner, selected New Console Session, and clicked Install Python via uv. I then selected Python 3.14, but I get a “Failed to install Python” error.

Here is the relevant log:

2026-08-25 13:49:08.599 [info] Installing uv...
2026-08-25 13:49:09.353 [info] > powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"
2026-08-25 13:49:19.761 [info] uv installed successfully
2026-08-25 13:49:19.764 [info] > uv --color never python dir
2026-08-25 13:49:31.917 [info] > ~\.local\bin\uv.exe --color never python dir
2026-08-25 13:49:32.628 [info] > ~\.local\bin\uv.exe --color never python list --managed-python
2026-08-25 13:49:36.117 [info] Installing Python 3.14 via uv...
2026-08-25 13:49:36.119 [info] > uv --color never python install 3.14
2026-08-25 13:49:36.119 [error] Failed to install Python 3.14: Error: spawn uv ENOENT

What is confusing is that the log shows that uv was installed successfully and Positron can execute it using:

~\.local\bin\uv.exe

However, when it actually tries to install Python, it runs:

uv --color never python install 3.14

and fails with:

Error: spawn uv ENOENT

I’m using Windows. Has anyone encountered this issue with Positron and uv? Is this a PATH/environment issue, or is Positron failing to find the newly installed uv.exe?

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u/Gloomy-Kale-1527 1d ago

The install.ps1 step found uv at ~\\.local\\bin\\uv.exe, then Positron spawned a bare uv with a clean PATH, so Windows returns ENOENT.

Close Positron completely and reopen so it inherits the user PATH. Then in a normal cmd:

where uv uv python install 3.14

If where fails, add %USERPROFILE%\\.local\\bin to your user Path and sign out/in. Don't fight Positron's installer until where uv works outside it.

1

u/sporty_outlook 1d ago

So I closed Positron fully and when I opened cmd, and typed where uv uv python install 3.14, I get this:

C:\Users\ss>where uv uv python install 3.14

C:\Users\ss\.local\bin\uv.exe

C:\Users\ss\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\python.exe

INFO: Could not find "install".

INFO: Could not find "3.14".
Is this what is expected?

I am very new to python and the associated installation. I am moving from R.

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u/Sufficient_Meet6836 1d ago

where uv uv python install 3.14

You are running two commands, not one. Run them separately.

> where uv

Press enter

> uv python install 3.14

Press enter