python / python/cpython

Python venv inconsistent folder structure on windows

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3.10 3.7 (EOL) 3.8 (EOL) 3.9 (EOL) OS-windows stdlib topic-venv type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Forks
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PR merge metrics
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Description

BPO 42863
Nosy @pfmoore, @tjguk, @zware, @zooba, @dopry

Note: these values reflect the state of the issue at the time it was migrated and might not reflect the current state.

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GitHub fields:

assignee = None
closed_at = None
created_at = <Date 2021-01-08.01:10:38.253>
labels = ['type-bug', '3.8', '3.9', '3.10', '3.7', 'OS-windows']
title = 'Python venv inconsistent folder structure on windows'
updated_at = <Date 2022-03-14.22:25:28.996>
user = 'https://bugs.python.org/jmoguill2'

bugs.python.org fields:

activity = <Date 2022-03-14.22:25:28.996>
actor = 'steve.dower'
assignee = 'none'
closed = False
closed_date = None
closer = None
components = ['Windows']
creation = <Date 2021-01-08.01:10:38.253>
creator = 'jmoguill2'
dependencies = []
files = []
hgrepos = []
issue_num = 42863
keywords = []
message_count = 9.0
messages = ['384628', '384683', '384685', '384686', '384687', '384688', '384689', '415197', '415202']
nosy_count = 6.0
nosy_names = ['paul.moore', 'tim.golden', 'zach.ware', 'steve.dower', 'jmoguill2', 'darrel.opry']
pr_nums = []
priority = 'normal'
resolution = None
stage = None
status = 'open'
superseder = None
type = 'behavior'
url = 'https://bugs.python.org/issue42863'
versions = ['Python 3.6', 'Python 3.7', 'Python 3.8', 'Python 3.9', 'Python 3.10']

Contributor guide

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

The issue identifies Python venv behavior on Windows but names no files, tests, reproduction steps, or expected folder structure. Start by reviewing the venv implementation and Windows-specific handling, then reproduce the inconsistency and document the expected layout. Done means the folder structure is consistent on Windows and the relevant tests cover the behavior.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
operating-systems, tooling
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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