'Access is denied' to Python 3.8 for PyCharm on Windows 10

user_2023715 0
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Attempting to create a new project in PyCharm Community on Windows 10. Here are the settings for new project in PyCharm:

Settings for new project in PyCharm

I'm greeted with the error msg:

Cannot run program "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_3.8.752.0_x64__qbz5n2kfra8p0\python.exe" 
(in directory "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_3.8.752.0_x64__qbz5n2kfra8p0"): CreateProcess error=5, Access is denied

The only workarounds I've found on SO so far are:

  1. Change WindowsApp folder owner to 'everyone'
  2. Create new 'venv' and put project in there
  3. Don't use Python from Windows Store

Would it be best to ditch Windows Store Python and just download Python 3.8 for Windows from python.org? I'm new to Python development and don't want to adopt sloppy behavior.

pycharm python-3.x windows python
3 Answers

Removing the Windows Store version and whitelisting in Windows Security PyCharm exe and project directories cleared up all launch issues in PyCharm!

user_20237150

Use %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\python.exe as Base Interpreter

user_36371350

Received the same error when trying to install the Python 'pynorm' package on Windows 10 after installing Python from the Microsoft store. The following worked for me

  1. Logged in as Administrator in Window 10 Pro
  2. Uninstalled the Microsoft Store and all previous Python versions from add/remove programs
  3. Rebooted the PC
  4. Downloaded / Installed Python 3.9.6 from python.org
  5. Installed pynorm
user_88855130
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