On Windows + PowerShell + pre-release, `venv` cannot be activated properly

[cmp0xff]

Error message is:

$ "&" C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
ParserError: 
Line |
   1 |  "&" C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv …
     |      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     | Unexpected token 'C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1' in expression or statement.

When switched to release version of the plug-in, activation works properly:

$ & C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

The quotation around "" seems to be the cause.

Full output of the plug-in:

2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] 
=== Python Envs Configuration Levels ===
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] {
  "section": "Python Envs Configuration Levels",
  "defaultEnvManager": {
    "workspaceFolderValue": "undefined",
    "workspaceValue": "undefined",
    "globalValue": "undefined",
    "defaultValue": "ms-python.python:venv"
  },
  "defaultPackageManager": {
    "workspaceFolderValue": "undefined",
    "workspaceValue": "undefined",
    "globalValue": "undefined",
    "defaultValue": "ms-python.python:pip"
  }
}
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] [pet] Starting Python Locator c:\Users\UserName\.vscode\extensions\ms-python.vscode-python-envs-1.11.12792135-win32-x64\python-env-tools\bin\pet.exe server
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] Using conda from settings: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\condabin\conda.bat
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] Using poetry from persistent state: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.EXE
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] The `shell` command is not available by default in Poetry versions 2.0.0 and above. Therefore all shell activation will be handled by calling `source <path-to-activate>`. If you face any problems with shell activation, please file an issue at https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python-environments/issues to help us improve this implementation.
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] Found global conda sourcing script at: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate.bat
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] Conda hook found at: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\shell\condabin\conda-hook.ps1
2025-10-08 13:23:24.554 [info] conda.sh found in C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\etc\profile.d\conda.sh
2025-10-08 13:23:24.564 [info] Conda Sourcing Status:
├─ Conda Path: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\condabin\conda.bat
├─ Conda Folder: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3
├─ Active on Launch: false
├─ Global Sourcing Script: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate.bat
└─ Shell-specific Sourcing Scripts:
   ├─ C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\shell\condabin\conda-hook.ps1
   ├─ C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\etc\profile.d\conda.sh
   └─ C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\condabin\activate.bat
2025-10-08 13:23:24.962 [info] Refreshing Conda Environments
2025-10-08 13:23:24.962 [info] Refreshing conda environments
2025-10-08 13:23:24.962 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:24.963 [info] [pet] configure: Sending configuration update: {"workspaceDirectories":["c:\\Users\\UserName\\Documents\\project\\project"],"environmentDirectories":[],"condaExecutable":"C:\\Users\\UserName\\miniforge3\\condabin\\conda.bat","poetryExecutable":"poetry","cacheDirectory":"c:\\Users\\UserName\\AppData\\Roaming\\Code\\User\\globalStorage\\ms-python.vscode-python-envs\\pythonLocator"}
2025-10-08 13:23:25.182 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:26.675 [info] Poetry version output: Poetry (version 2.2.1)
2025-10-08 13:23:26.680 [info] Poetry found at C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.EXE, version: 2.2.1
2025-10-08 13:23:28.139 [info] Resolved Python Environment C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.215 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKLM\Software\Python, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.256 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKCU\Software\Python\PythonCore\3.10\InstallPath, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.272 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.274 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.276 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.277 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.278 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.279 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.281 [info] Discovered manager: (Conda) C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\conda.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.281 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.281 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator Conda took 120.7812ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator PipEnv took 506.2µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator Pixi took 962.8µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator Poetry took 6.2666ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator PyEnv took 1.1914ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator Venv took 558.4µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.282 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnv took 119.2µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 481.8µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsRegistry took 6.019ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsStore took 1.4595ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 741.9µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator Locators took 121.1861ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.283 [info] [pet] Locator Path took 13.9767ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.284 [info] [pet] Locator Workspaces took 34.2779ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.284 [info] [pet] Telemetry:  {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":121,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":121,"Path":13,"Workspaces":34},"locators":{"Conda":120,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":6,"PyEnv":1,"Venv":0,"VirtualEnv":0,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0,"WindowsRegistry":6,"WindowsStore":1}}}}
2025-10-08 13:23:29.286 [info] Resolved environment during PET refresh: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.287 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:29.323 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKLM\Software\Python, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.325 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKCU\Software\Python\PythonCore\3.10\InstallPath, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.326 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.328 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.330 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.535 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.535 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.536 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.538 [info] Discovered manager: (Conda) C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\conda.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.538 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.539 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.539 [info] [pet] Locator Conda took 167.8668ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator PipEnv took 199.1µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator Pixi took 360µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator Poetry took 8.5205ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator PyEnv took 2.4772ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator Venv took 1.2865ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnv took 715.1µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.540 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 801.4µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.541 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsRegistry took 11.5808ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.541 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsStore took 998.9µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.541 [info] [pet] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 459.9µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.541 [info] [pet] Locator Locators took 168.5842ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.542 [info] [pet] Locator Path took 13.4895ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.542 [info] [pet] Locator Workspaces took 27.0384ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.543 [info] [pet] Telemetry:  {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":168,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":168,"Path":13,"Workspaces":27},"locators":{"Conda":167,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":8,"PyEnv":2,"Venv":1,"VirtualEnv":0,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0,"WindowsRegistry":11,"WindowsStore":0}}}}
2025-10-08 13:23:29.544 [info] Resolved environment during PET refresh: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.545 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:29.553 [info] Found venv environment: project-py3.13 (3.13.4)
2025-10-08 13:23:29.555 [info] Found venv environment: venv (3.13.7)
2025-10-08 13:23:29.597 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKLM\Software\Python, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.598 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKCU\Software\Python\PythonCore\3.10\InstallPath, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.600 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.602 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.604 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.607 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.608 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.609 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.616 [info] Resolved environment during PET refresh: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.707 [info] Pyenv not found, turning off pyenv features.
2025-10-08 13:23:29.708 [info] Pipenv not found
2025-10-08 13:23:29.708 [info] Pipenv not found, turning off pipenv features.
2025-10-08 13:23:29.709 [info] [resolveDefaultInterpreter] User configured defaultInterpreterPath: c:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe and defaultEnvManager: undefined
2025-10-08 13:23:29.709 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:29.711 [info] Discovered manager: (Conda) C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\conda.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.711 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.711 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.712 [info] [pet] Locator Conda took 160.2972ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.712 [info] [pet] Locator PipEnv took 621.2µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.712 [info] [pet] Locator Pixi took 299.1µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.712 [info] [pet] Locator Poetry took 5.1354ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.712 [info] [pet] Locator PyEnv took 2.112ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.713 [info] [pet] Locator Venv took 1.0097ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.713 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnv took 1.338ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.713 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 953.4µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.713 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsRegistry took 7.4301ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.713 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsStore took 1.4906ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.714 [info] [pet] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 755µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.714 [info] [pet] Locator Locators took 161.1436ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.714 [info] [pet] Locator Path took 13.6545ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.714 [info] [pet] Locator Workspaces took 28.5049ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.715 [info] getAllExtraSearchPaths completed. Total unique search directories: 0 Paths: []
2025-10-08 13:23:29.716 [info] Using conda from settings: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\condabin\conda.bat
2025-10-08 13:23:29.716 [info] Found local activation script at: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate, adding to cache.
2025-10-08 13:23:29.717 [info] Conda hook found at: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\shell\condabin\conda-hook.ps1
2025-10-08 13:23:29.717 [info] === Conda Shell Activation Map Generation ===
Environment Configuration:
    - Identifier: "base"
    - Prefix: "C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3"
    - Name: "base"

Local Activation:
    - Status: Found
    - Path: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate

Preferred Sourcing:
    - Selected Path: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate
    - Source: Local

✓ Using Windows-specific activation configuration
==========================================
2025-10-08 13:23:29.717 [info] Found base environment: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3
2025-10-08 13:23:29.718 [info] [pet] Telemetry:  {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":161,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":161,"Path":13,"Workspaces":28},"locators":{"Conda":160,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":5,"PyEnv":2,"Venv":1,"VirtualEnv":1,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0,"WindowsRegistry":7,"WindowsStore":1}}}}
2025-10-08 13:23:29.718 [info] Conda hook found at: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\shell\condabin\conda-hook.ps1
2025-10-08 13:23:29.718 [info] === Conda Shell Activation Map Generation ===
Environment Configuration:
    - Identifier: "pandas-dev"
    - Prefix: "C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev"
    - Name: "pandas-dev"

Local Activation:
    - Status: Found
    - Path: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate

Preferred Sourcing:
    - Selected Path: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\activate
    - Source: Local

✓ Using Windows-specific activation configuration
==========================================
2025-10-08 13:23:29.718 [info] Found named environment: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev
2025-10-08 13:23:29.735 [info] Resolved Python Environment C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.776 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKLM\Software\Python, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.777 [warning] [pet] Failed to open HKCU\Software\Python\PythonCore\3.10\InstallPath, Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "The system cannot find the file specified." }
2025-10-08 13:23:29.777 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\poetry.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.777 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python311\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.779 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.779 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.782 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.782 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.789 [info] Resolved environment during PET refresh: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\pypoetry\venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.970 [info] Discovered manager: (Conda) C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\Scripts\conda.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.970 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.972 [info] Discovered env: C:\Users\UserName\miniforge3\envs\pandas-dev\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:29.972 [info] [pet] Locator Conda took 252.1416ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.972 [info] [pet] Locator PipEnv took 669µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.972 [info] [pet] Locator Pixi took 394.3µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator Poetry took 3.3484ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator PyEnv took 1.9544ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator Venv took 125.6µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnv took 352.8µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 501.3µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsRegistry took 6.0569ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.973 [info] [pet] Locator WindowsStore took 1.3722ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.974 [info] [pet] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 866.7µs
2025-10-08 13:23:29.974 [info] [pet] Locator Locators took 253.1363ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.974 [info] [pet] Locator Path took 17.5286ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.974 [info] [pet] Locator Workspaces took 36.6441ms
2025-10-08 13:23:29.974 [info] [pet] Telemetry:  {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":253,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":253,"Path":17,"Workspaces":36},"locators":{"Conda":252,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":3,"PyEnv":1,"Venv":0,"VirtualEnv":0,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0,"WindowsRegistry":6,"WindowsStore":1}}}}
2025-10-08 13:23:29.975 [info] Found venv environment: project-py3.13 (3.13.4)
2025-10-08 13:23:29.976 [info] Found venv environment: venv (3.13.7)
2025-10-08 13:23:29.984 [info] Terminal is activated: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:30.027 [info] Python API: Changed environment from undefined to project-py3.13 (3.13.4) for: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project
2025-10-08 13:23:30.027 [info] Internal: Changed environment from undefined to project-py3.13 (3.13.4) for: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project
2025-10-08 13:23:30.269 [info] Terminal is activated: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:30.693 [info] Terminal is activated: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe
2025-10-08 13:23:30.879 [info] Terminal is activated: c:\Users\UserName\Documents\project\project\.venv\Scripts\python.exe

[anthonykim1]

This should've been fixed in pre-release. Can you try with the absolute latest pre-release of env ext?

[cmp0xff]

Hi, I can confirm that the problem does not appear anymore on my machine with the latest pre-release. Thank you for the information.