@Christopher_Bryant1 The first questions coming to mind is, are you logging into your computer with Admin privileges and, where is this file located on drive C:. Since its not an installed program it should be residing in your downloads folder. Secondly, I would highlight the file (left mouse click once) then open “Properties”. and check for a missing, and/or a missing digital signature. If there is no digital signature try deleting the executable if its not something you downloaded nor need to use.
Legit Python for Windows can be downloaded from to sources as shown below: *Note - If you do not remember needing or downloading this file, and if you are NOT a developer, I would NOT for any reason try running it.
I’m the only one using the computer, so I’m the only admin.
I have been unable to locate this file on my C drive, in windows app removal list, or in my downloaded file. But, when I type python.exe
in the run box, I get this Python Install Manager popup. I never would have deliberately downloaded this type of software, as I know I know just enough about programing to be dangerous. It seems it came from the Microsoft store, but I rarely go to MS for anything. I’m concerned because I didn’t ask for it and I can’t find it so I can delete it, and it wouldn’t allow me to back it up when I was doing a back up of my C drive, which is how I was alerted it was there. I really haven’t made any changes lately to my computer, just a file converter download, so I’m perplexed as to how it got on my C drive.
I’m assuming that if Norton’s thought it was a malicious file, they would have fixed it.
Biggest thing, should I be worried or just let it sit on my drive and forget about it?
Try just doing an overall search of your hard drive using Windows Explorer. Click on This PC on the left side and then enter python in the search box at the top right.
Interesting find on my part for you all to review. There are two instances of Python with zero bites in the Windows Apps directory on my Windows 10 Pro daily duster machine. I’ve never installed or used Python in the past on any of my devices as well. It would appear this is 100% NORMAL and is there by design!!
AI Overview
Python appears in the Windows 10 “Apps” directory and the
WindowsApps folder primarily for two reasons: a system feature that redirects uninstalled Python commands to the Microsoft Store, and the option to install Python directly from the Microsoft Store.
Do any of you understand what it’s purpose is? Why would MS install this type of software when most of us common users would never need or want to use it? And why can’t these files be copied when I do a C drive backup? I guess if it was a part of the systems files, ok, but why give me access? I’m not a code writer so I’d only screw my machine if I messed with them. If they want me to shop at their MS store, then just send some ads like all the other telemarketers.
Microsoft doesn’t “install Python out of thin air”
But in some cases Python MAY already be installed. This can happen if:
You installed a program that uses Python internally (e.g., automation tools, dev tools)
You installed Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code with extensions
Some system package included Python as a dependency
I would not have downloaded any dev or auto tools, at least not on purpose. I did download Handbrake and Prism file converters so I could convert some old flash videos, maybe it came inside those.
I’ll try to delete what I can of python. If something fails to work, then at least I’ll know what software is using it. Good to know it’s not by MS design, and that it’s not malicious. I didn’t recognized it, so was a bit worried.
@Christopher_Bryant1 Having posted that these files are put on systems by Microsoft, are harmless and why. Here is a deeper dive into that: For both Windows 10 & 11.
AI Overview
Microsoft installs Python stubs or files, typically located in
AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps, to provide a default handler for the python command. These act as aliases that open the Microsoft Store to install Python if you try to use it, ensuring a streamlined installation experience for users and supporting Microsoft Store applications.
Key Reasons for Python Files on Your PC:
App Execution Aliases: Modern Windows 10/11 includes python.exe stubs that, when run from CMD or PowerShell, direct you to the Microsoft Store for a quick install rather than erroring out, explain several Reddit users.
Microsoft Store Apps: Applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store often need Python and install it within a sandboxed directory (e.g., ...\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python...).
Developer Tools: Installing tools like Visual Studio Code or other developer-centric applications may prompt the installation of Python or install it as a dependency.
How to Manage Them:
If you prefer not to use the Microsoft Store version, you can manage this:
Disable Aliases: Type “Manage app execution aliases” into the Windows search bar and toggle off python.exe and python3.exe to stop them from redirecting to the Store.
Correcting the PATH: If you installed Python yourself and the Store version is overriding it, ensure your custom installation path appears before the WindowsApps path in your system’s Environment Variables, say developers on Super User and Reddit users.
These are the reasons the files are there. For developers to use and make their usage / installation / update processes better. Hope this clears things.
That does clear it up. Makes sense. Good to know it’s intended to be there so I won’t mess with them. With a name like Python, I was a bit worried, especially since those files didn’t want to be copied.
