Windows: Discovering Python Interpreters takes forever

[john-aws]

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: Yes

• VS Code Version: 1.61
• OS Version: Windows 10 (Windows_NT x64 10.0.19043)

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Launch VS Code (with or without --disable-extensions)
2. Open a folder containing Python source

I'm unable to select a Python interpreter because VS Code never completes the process of discovering Python interpreters. This is 100% reproducible. I've waited up to 10 minutes but the 'Discovering Python Interpreters' spinner is still spinning.

For reference, this is a laptop with 500GB total SSD, 150 GB in use. Running "dir /s python.exe" from the root of the C: drive completes in (considerably) under one minute.

[john-aws]

Also, running 'Python: Select Interpreter' from the command palette does not offer a list of interpreters (and appears to do nothing).

[john-aws]

Uninstalling the MS Python extension, reloading VS Code, and re-installing the Python extension (v2021.10.1336267007) does not resolve the issue (same symptoms afterwards).

[johngianni]

Same here...

[wHiTeDoPe21]

same...

[Tyriar]

/extPython

[john-aws]

Raised microsoft/vscode-python#17788

[kizombaciao]

Just a quick follow up. Why is the step of 'discovering python interpreters' always necessary, even though the code that I launched on open is dart? Is this step always happening because I have installed and enabled python extensions, even though I may not be using them in the current session?

[Tyriar]

This issue is relating to the Python extension, you should ask questions about it at vscode-python