How to Switch Between Multiple Python Versions and Manage Pipenv Environments

Introduction

Hello, I'm PiPi. A question about switching Python versions was raised in a group, and I share the solution here.

The environment was complex: three different Python installations each with its own path, and pip paths also differed.

Solution

Someone suggested setting environment variables to resolve the issue.

Creating virtual environments with pipenv for each version can be done as follows:

python3.9 -m pipenv
python3.10 -m pipenv
python3.11 -m pipenv

After setting the variables, the problem was solved. A detail to note: if all three Python versions have pip, the one that appears first in the PATH becomes the default.

Another common problem is that typing python in the console opens the Microsoft Store instead of the installed interpreter. This happens because the Store's Python path is earlier in the PATH variable. Removing that entry fixes the issue.

Conclusion

This article reviews basic Python environment issues, provides analysis and code, and helps readers resolve version and path conflicts.