Consistently get "Do you want to install extension ms-python.python to enable ms-python.python:venv support."

[JeppeKlitgaard]

I had high hopes that some of the recent changes would have fixed this issue, which is persistent for me.

Every time I open a Python file in a recently launched VSCode instance, I get this pop up:

Despite having the latest version of ms-python.python installed. This happens even with setting "python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true,

Related: #584

This has been consistent across many recent versions, but current setup is:

• ms-python.python: 2026.4.0
• ms-python.vscode-python-envs: 1.28.0

VSCode info

• Version: 1.116.0 (user setup)
• Commit: 560a9dba96f961efea7b1612916f89e5d5d4d679
• Date: 2026-04-15T00:28:13Z
• Electron: 39.8.7
• ElectronBuildId: 13797146
• Chromium: 142.0.7444.265
• Node.js: 22.22.1
• V8: 14.2.231.22-electron.0
• OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

My remedy is simply disabling this extension, though it is frustrating to have this bundled with ms-python.python and experience this issue.

[eleanorjboyd]

Thanks for reporting this, @JeppeKlitgaard! Sorry you're running into this persistent prompt. I haven't see this before and it may be because on of your extension has a weird install state.

Could you try fully uninstalling and reinstalling both the Python (ms-python.python) and Python Environments (ms-python.vscode-python-envs) extensions?

[AzhakAnwar]

@eleanorjboyd: I've been getting this error for more than a month across multiple devices.
I took these remedy actions but nothing worked.

• Uninstalled all python extensions (Python, Pylance, Python Environments) and reinstalled them.
• Purged all the data in %USERPROFILE%.vscode\extensions and reinstalled every extension.
• Deleted all python installations in my PC and then installed two versions (3.13 and 3.14).

After everything, I'm still getting this error.

VS Code Info:

• Version: 1.117.0 (user setup)
• Commit: 10c8e557c8b9f9ed0a87f61f1c9a44bde731c409
• Date: 2026-04-21T16:12:14-07:00
• Electron: 39.8.7
• ElectronBuildId: 13841579
• Chromium: 142.0.7444.265
• Node.js: 22.22.1
• V8: 14.2.231.22-electron.0
• OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

[AzhakAnwar]

Another thing, I deleted all the virtual environments too. That also didn't work.

[mfjimenezmoreno]

Been having this issue with both Linux and Windows based systems.

[edvilme]

Hi. Thanks for letting us know about this issue. We will work to investigate and resolve it as quickly as possible. I am curious if this is happening with only a specific project/workspace, or if it happens with all of them?

[AzhakAnwar]

Hi @edvilme: It's happening with all the projects including the Jupyter notebook.

[JeppeKlitgaard]

Thanks for reporting this, @JeppeKlitgaard! Sorry you're running into this persistent prompt. I haven't see this before and it may be because on of your extension has a weird install state.

Could you try fully uninstalling and reinstalling both the Python (ms-python.python) and Python Environments (ms-python.vscode-python-envs) extensions?

I have tried this just now and in the past, but without success. I have not gone through the effort of deleting the folders locally in the manner @AzhakAnwar has, but it doesn't seem like that solved the issue for him.