From f5d3b21e0a8ffd05f663ce4d4a27c7f5510fd24c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:46:18 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 01/20] Windows: use the py launcher to select version

---
 docs/examples.md             |  4 ++--
 src/pipx/commands/install.py |  6 ++++++
 src/pipx/commands/run.py     |  8 ++++++--
 src/pipx/interpreter.py      | 13 +++++++++----
 src/pipx/main.py             | 19 +++++++++++++------
 tests/test_install.py        |  9 +++++++++
 tests/test_interpreter.py    | 35 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------
 tests/test_run.py            | 20 ++++++++++++++++++++
 8 files changed, 91 insertions(+), 23 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/examples.md b/docs/examples.md
index cae08fbee6..61bed698e8 100644
--- a/docs/examples.md
+++ b/docs/examples.md
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 ```
 pipx install pycowsay
-pipx install --python python3.7 pycowsay
-pipx install --python python3.8 pycowsay
+pipx install --python python3.10 pycowsay
+pipx install --python 3.11 pycowsay
 pipx install git+https://github.com/psf/black
 pipx install git+https://github.com/psf/black.git@branch-name
 pipx install git+https://github.com/psf/black.git@git-hash
diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/install.py b/src/pipx/commands/install.py
index ddd230f47b..a3945cdccd 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/install.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/install.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 from pipx import constants
 from pipx.commands.common import package_name_from_spec, run_post_install_actions
 from pipx.constants import EXIT_CODE_INSTALL_VENV_EXISTS, EXIT_CODE_OK, ExitCode
+from pipx.interpreter import find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import pipx_wrap
 from pipx.venv import Venv, VenvContainer
 
@@ -26,6 +27,11 @@ def install(
     # package_spec is anything pip-installable, including package_name, vcs spec,
     #   zip file, or tar.gz file.
 
+    if constants.WINDOWS and python and not Path(python).is_file():
+        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(python)
+        if py_launcher:
+            python = py_launcher
+
     if package_name is None:
         package_name = package_name_from_spec(
             package_spec, python, pip_args=pip_args, verbose=verbose
diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index b4d1b90ebd..f7616ac54b 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 from pipx.commands.common import package_name_from_spec
 from pipx.constants import TEMP_VENV_EXPIRATION_THRESHOLD_DAYS, WINDOWS
 from pipx.emojis import hazard
+from pipx.interpreter import find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import (
     PipxError,
     exec_app,
@@ -106,7 +107,6 @@ def run_package(
     verbose: bool,
     use_cache: bool,
 ) -> NoReturn:
-
     if which(app):
         logger.warning(
             pipx_wrap(
@@ -189,6 +189,11 @@ def run(
         # we can't parse this as a package
         package_name = app
 
+    if constants.WINDOWS and python and not Path(python).is_file():
+        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(python)
+        if py_launcher:
+            python = py_launcher
+
     if spec is not None:
         content = None
     else:
@@ -325,7 +330,6 @@ def _http_get_request(url: str) -> str:
 
 
 def _get_requirements_from_script(content: str) -> Optional[List[str]]:
-
     # An iterator over the lines in the script. We will
     # read through this in sections, so it needs to be an
     # iterator, not just a list.
diff --git a/src/pipx/interpreter.py b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
index 331caac3ee..8d13fdf9d4 100644
--- a/src/pipx/interpreter.py
+++ b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
+from typing import Optional
 
 from pipx.constants import WINDOWS
 from pipx.util import PipxError
@@ -26,14 +27,18 @@ def has_venv() -> bool:
 # so we try to locate the system Python and use that instead.
 
 
+def find_py_launcher_python(python_version: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+    py = shutil.which("py")
+    if py and python_version:
+        os.environ["PY_PYTHON"] = python_version
+    return py
+
+
 def _find_default_windows_python() -> str:
     if has_venv():
         return sys.executable
+    python = find_py_launcher_python() or shutil.which("python")
 
-    py = shutil.which("py")
-    if py:
-        return py
-    python = shutil.which("python")
     if python is None:
         raise PipxError("No suitable Python found")
 
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 59f6222288..21048a41e6 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -342,7 +342,8 @@ def _add_install(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. Must be v3.6+."
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)
@@ -484,8 +485,9 @@ def _add_reinstall(subparsers, venv_completer: VenvCompleter) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to recreate the Virtual Environment "
-            "and run the associated app/apps. Must be v3.6+."
+            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--verbose", action="store_true")
@@ -512,8 +514,9 @@ def _add_reinstall_all(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to recreate the Virtual Environment "
-            "and run the associated app/apps. Must be v3.6+."
+            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--skip", nargs="+", default=[], help="skip these packages")
@@ -588,7 +591,11 @@ def _add_run(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
     p.add_argument(
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
-        help="The Python version to run package's CLI app with. Must be v3.6+.",
+        help=(
+            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "Must be v3.6+."
+        ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)
     p.set_defaults(subparser=p)
diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index a135b86101..a208db4384 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -262,3 +262,12 @@ def test_install_local_archive(pipx_temp_env, monkeypatch, capsys):
     assert not run_pipx_cli(["install", "repeatme-0.1-py3-none-any.whl"])
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert f"- {app_name('repeatme')}\n" in captured.out
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not sys.platform.startswith("win"), reason="uses windows version format"
+)
+def test_install_with_python_windows(capsys, pipx_temp_env):
+    run_pipx_cli(["install", "pycowsay", "--python", "3.11"])
+    captured = capsys.readouterr()
+    assert "Python 3.11" in captured.out
diff --git a/tests/test_interpreter.py b/tests/test_interpreter.py
index 167c6c3b06..b47016ede3 100644
--- a/tests/test_interpreter.py
+++ b/tests/test_interpreter.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
@@ -8,26 +9,42 @@
 from pipx.interpreter import (
     _find_default_windows_python,
     _get_absolute_python_interpreter,
+    find_py_launcher_python,
 )
 from pipx.util import PipxError
 
 
-def test_windows_python_venv_present(monkeypatch):
+def py_which(name):
+    if name == "py":
+        return "py"
+
+
+def test_windows_python_with_version_no_venv(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
+    assert find_py_launcher_python("3.9") == "py"
+    assert os.environ.get("PY_PYTHON") == "3.9"
+
+
+def test_windows_python_with_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: True)
-    assert _find_default_windows_python() == sys.executable
+    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
+    assert find_py_launcher_python("3.9") == "py"
+    assert os.environ.get("PY_PYTHON") == "3.9"
 
 
-def test_windows_python_no_venv_py_present(monkeypatch):
-    def which(name):
-        if name == "py":
-            return "py"
+def test_windows_python_no_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: True)
+    assert _find_default_windows_python() == sys.executable
 
+
+def test_windows_python_no_version_no_venv_with_py(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: False)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", which)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
     assert _find_default_windows_python() == "py"
 
 
-def test_windows_python_no_venv_python_present(monkeypatch):
+def test_windows_python_no_version_no_venv_python_present(monkeypatch):
     def which(name):
         if name == "python":
             return "python"
@@ -38,7 +55,7 @@ def which(name):
     assert _find_default_windows_python() == "python"
 
 
-def test_windows_python_no_venv_no_python(monkeypatch):
+def test_windows_python_no_version_no_venv_no_python(monkeypatch):
     def which(name):
         return None
 
diff --git a/tests/test_run.py b/tests/test_run.py
index 6d5e4e1471..5c2126289d 100644
--- a/tests/test_run.py
+++ b/tests/test_run.py
@@ -316,3 +316,23 @@ def test_run_script_by_relative_name(caplog, pipx_temp_env, monkeypatch, tmp_pat
         m.chdir(tmp_path)
         run_pipx_cli_exit(["run", "test.py"])
     assert out.read_text() == test_str
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not sys.platform.startswith("win"), reason="uses windows version format"
+)
+@mock.patch("os.execvpe", new=execvpe_mock)
+def test_run_with_windows_python_version(caplog, pipx_temp_env, tmp_path):
+    script = tmp_path / "test.py"
+    out = tmp_path / "output.txt"
+    script.write_text(
+        textwrap.dedent(
+            f"""
+                import sys
+                from pathlib import Path
+                Path({repr(str(out))}).write_text(sys.version)
+            """
+        ).strip()
+    )
+    run_pipx_cli_exit(["run", script.as_uri(), "--python", "3.11"])
+    assert "3.11" in out.read_text()

From 9bab10cdb803f6311af2da853d489fe132488c7d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:50:35 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 02/20] Refactor string concatenation to f-string

---
 tests/test_install.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index a208db4384..168b12637c 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def test_extra(pipx_temp_env, capsys):
 
 def test_install_local_extra(pipx_temp_env, capsys):
     assert not run_pipx_cli(
-        ["install", TEST_DATA_PATH + "/local_extras[cow]", "--include-deps"]
+        ["install", f"{TEST_DATA_PATH}/local_extras[cow]", "--include-deps"]
     )
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert f"- {app_name('pycowsay')}\n" in captured.out

From c8b7fb6e3ca01ef942b368c46a096321ee2a8b5f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:53:37 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 03/20] Refactor simplify m.group(1) to m[1]

---
 tests/test_install.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index 168b12637c..f6db593ea1 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ def test_install_pip_failure(pipx_temp_env, capsys):
         r"Full pip output in file:\s+(\S.+)$", captured.err, re.MULTILINE
     )
     assert pip_log_file_match
-    assert Path(pip_log_file_match.group(1)).exists()
+    assert Path(pip_log_file_match[1]).exists()
 
     assert re.search(r"pip (failed|seemed to fail) to build package", captured.err)
 

From fe25d1f735cc8a1c22c10a12e889af6e5884a5cf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:54:12 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 04/20] Refactor remove unnecessary cast to str

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index f7616ac54b..abe0e30262 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def run_script(
 ) -> NoReturn:
     requirements = _get_requirements_from_script(content)
     if requirements is None:
-        exec_app([str(python), "-c", content, *app_args])
+        exec_app([python, "-c", content, *app_args])
     else:
         # Note that the environment name is based on the identified
         # requirements, and *not* on the script name. This is deliberate, as

From 3493dc23a9a3b5342d6dbb4e066a370c9c4ad615 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:55:00 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 05/20] Refactor to use if-expression

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 6 +-----
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index abe0e30262..c549a1a6a2 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -194,11 +194,7 @@ def run(
         if py_launcher:
             python = py_launcher
 
-    if spec is not None:
-        content = None
-    else:
-        content = maybe_script_content(app, is_path)
-
+    content = None if spec is not None else maybe_script_content(app, is_path)
     if content is not None:
         run_script(content, app_args, python, pip_args, venv_args, verbose, use_cache)
     else:

From 5b8ce5b1e20112e7ecec39b712c8213c7f03e139 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:55:49 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 06/20] Refactor move assignment closer to usage

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index c549a1a6a2..171aab5fb7 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -180,7 +180,6 @@ def run(
     package
     """
 
-    package_or_url = spec if spec is not None else app
     # For any package, we need to just use the name
     try:
         package_name = Requirement(app).name
@@ -198,6 +197,7 @@ def run(
     if content is not None:
         run_script(content, app_args, python, pip_args, venv_args, verbose, use_cache)
     else:
+        package_or_url = spec if spec is not None else app
         run_package(
             package_name,
             package_or_url,

From 10496c5330d7b56b2d957aff19b0f382b602e599 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:56:30 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 07/20] Refactor explicitly raise from last error

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index 171aab5fb7..e50d5c5274 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ def _http_get_request(url: str) -> str:
         return res.read().decode(charset)
     except Exception as e:
         logger.debug("Uncaught Exception:", exc_info=True)
-        raise PipxError(str(e))
+        raise PipxError(str(e)) from e
 
 
 def _get_requirements_from_script(content: str) -> Optional[List[str]]:
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ def _get_requirements_from_script(content: str) -> Optional[List[str]]:
         try:
             req = Requirement(line_content)
         except InvalidRequirement as e:
-            raise PipxError(f"Invalid requirement {line_content}: {str(e)}")
+            raise PipxError(f"Invalid requirement {line_content}: {str(e)}") from e
 
         # Use the normalised form of the requirement,
         # not the original line.

From d36e22a030331805aaa29b81b1c3b74a5ae3b94f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 21:58:24 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 08/20] Refactor remove redundant slice index

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index e50d5c5274..56458e1410 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ def _get_temporary_venv_path(
     m.update(python.encode())
     m.update("".join(pip_args).encode())
     m.update("".join(venv_args).encode())
-    venv_folder_name = m.hexdigest()[0:15]  # 15 chosen arbitrarily
+    venv_folder_name = m.hexdigest()[:15]  # 15 chosen arbitrarily
     return Path(constants.PIPX_VENV_CACHEDIR) / venv_folder_name
 
 

From f15c373d727354e2d04f52452c8f098394815c25 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2023 22:00:33 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 09/20] Add changelog entry

---
 CHANGELOG.md | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 69d3ca4ce7..bfbc1ecb79 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 ## dev
 
+- Windows: use the py launcher to select Python version with `--python` option
 - Support including requirements in scripts run using `pipx run` (#916)
 - Pass `pip_args` to `shared_libs.upgrade()`
 - Fallback to user's log path if the default log path (`$PIPX_HOME/logs`) is not writable to aid with pipx being used for multi-user (e.g. system-wide) installs of applications

From 94abad14290f9865bea1e3ea35655a66e3a570ee Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2023 07:19:41 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 10/20] Fix py launcher not overriding venv version

---
 src/pipx/interpreter.py | 6 +++++-
 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/interpreter.py b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
index 8d13fdf9d4..af1da14c8d 100644
--- a/src/pipx/interpreter.py
+++ b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ def has_venv() -> bool:
 def find_py_launcher_python(python_version: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
     py = shutil.which("py")
     if py and python_version:
-        os.environ["PY_PYTHON"] = python_version
+        py = subprocess.run(
+            ["py", f"-{python_version}", "-c", "import sys; print(sys.executable)"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+        ).stdout.strip()
     return py
 
 

From 1dceb7a2cdac0514613f9631f3311eae1f510e10 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:16:24 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 11/20] Parameterize interpreter test

---
 tests/test_interpreter.py | 31 ++++++++++++++-----------------
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/test_interpreter.py b/tests/test_interpreter.py
index b47016ede3..961693f9f3 100644
--- a/tests/test_interpreter.py
+++ b/tests/test_interpreter.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
@@ -14,23 +13,18 @@
 from pipx.util import PipxError
 
 
-def py_which(name):
-    if name == "py":
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("venv", [True, False])
+def test_windows_python_with_version(monkeypatch, venv):
+    def which(name):
         return "py"
 
-
-def test_windows_python_with_version_no_venv(monkeypatch):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: False)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
-    assert find_py_launcher_python("3.9") == "py"
-    assert os.environ.get("PY_PYTHON") == "3.9"
-
-
-def test_windows_python_with_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: True)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
-    assert find_py_launcher_python("3.9") == "py"
-    assert os.environ.get("PY_PYTHON") == "3.9"
+    major = sys.version_info.major
+    minor = sys.version_info.minor
+    monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: venv)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", which)
+    assert find_py_launcher_python(f"{major}.{minor}").endswith(
+        f"Python{major}{minor}\\python.exe"
+    )
 
 
 def test_windows_python_no_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):
@@ -39,8 +33,11 @@ def test_windows_python_no_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_windows_python_no_version_no_venv_with_py(monkeypatch):
+    def which(name):
+        return "py"
+
     monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: False)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", py_which)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", which)
     assert _find_default_windows_python() == "py"
 
 

From a497ed7b719088357354cbd937bf658cc3915f67 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:34:16 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 12/20] Move py launch finder to main module

---
 src/pipx/commands/install.py | 6 ------
 src/pipx/main.py             | 6 +++++-
 tests/test_install.py        | 9 ---------
 3 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 16 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/install.py b/src/pipx/commands/install.py
index a3945cdccd..ddd230f47b 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/install.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/install.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 from pipx import constants
 from pipx.commands.common import package_name_from_spec, run_post_install_actions
 from pipx.constants import EXIT_CODE_INSTALL_VENV_EXISTS, EXIT_CODE_OK, ExitCode
-from pipx.interpreter import find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import pipx_wrap
 from pipx.venv import Venv, VenvContainer
 
@@ -27,11 +26,6 @@ def install(
     # package_spec is anything pip-installable, including package_name, vcs spec,
     #   zip file, or tar.gz file.
 
-    if constants.WINDOWS and python and not Path(python).is_file():
-        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(python)
-        if py_launcher:
-            python = py_launcher
-
     if package_name is None:
         package_name = package_name_from_spec(
             package_spec, python, pip_args=pip_args, verbose=verbose
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 21048a41e6..c52ce0c911 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 from pipx.colors import bold, green
 from pipx.constants import WINDOWS, ExitCode
 from pipx.emojis import hazard
-from pipx.interpreter import DEFAULT_PYTHON
+from pipx.interpreter import DEFAULT_PYTHON, find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import PipxError, mkdir, pipx_wrap, rmdir
 from pipx.venv import VenvContainer
 from pipx.version import __version__
@@ -181,6 +181,10 @@ def run_pipx_command(args: argparse.Namespace) -> ExitCode:  # noqa: C901
         logger.info(f"Virtual Environment location is {venv_dir}")
     if "skip" in args:
         skip_list = [canonicalize_name(x) for x in args.skip]
+    if "python" in args and WINDOWS and not Path(args.python).is_file():
+        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(args.python)
+        if py_launcher:
+            args.python = py_launcher
 
     if args.command == "run":
         commands.run(
diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index f6db593ea1..6e8a3566dd 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -262,12 +262,3 @@ def test_install_local_archive(pipx_temp_env, monkeypatch, capsys):
     assert not run_pipx_cli(["install", "repeatme-0.1-py3-none-any.whl"])
     captured = capsys.readouterr()
     assert f"- {app_name('repeatme')}\n" in captured.out
-
-
-@pytest.mark.skipif(
-    not sys.platform.startswith("win"), reason="uses windows version format"
-)
-def test_install_with_python_windows(capsys, pipx_temp_env):
-    run_pipx_cli(["install", "pycowsay", "--python", "3.11"])
-    captured = capsys.readouterr()
-    assert "Python 3.11" in captured.out

From 848c48b5bcb060be68185fa01d199199fb530b0a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 15:59:40 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 13/20] Skip test that requires Windows

---
 tests/test_interpreter.py | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/tests/test_interpreter.py b/tests/test_interpreter.py
index 961693f9f3..234af15096 100644
--- a/tests/test_interpreter.py
+++ b/tests/test_interpreter.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 from pipx.util import PipxError
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(not sys.platform.startswith("win"), reason="Looks for Python.exe")
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("venv", [True, False])
 def test_windows_python_with_version(monkeypatch, venv):
     def which(name):

From fcbecfe0834047c86e8ce623038202266278d0e0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 16:01:19 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 14/20] Use the found py launcher executable

---
 src/pipx/interpreter.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/interpreter.py b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
index af1da14c8d..cab29e8ee0 100644
--- a/src/pipx/interpreter.py
+++ b/src/pipx/interpreter.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def find_py_launcher_python(python_version: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[st
     py = shutil.which("py")
     if py and python_version:
         py = subprocess.run(
-            ["py", f"-{python_version}", "-c", "import sys; print(sys.executable)"],
+            [py, f"-{python_version}", "-c", "import sys; print(sys.executable)"],
             capture_output=True,
             text=True,
         ).stdout.strip()

From 53bfe443665c63b75f828b15421f27373b53d528 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2023 17:27:34 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 15/20] Fix Python path in Windows has other forms

---
 tests/test_interpreter.py | 6 +++---
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/tests/test_interpreter.py b/tests/test_interpreter.py
index 234af15096..1c2f3c92de 100644
--- a/tests/test_interpreter.py
+++ b/tests/test_interpreter.py
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ def which(name):
     minor = sys.version_info.minor
     monkeypatch.setattr(pipx.interpreter, "has_venv", lambda: venv)
     monkeypatch.setattr(shutil, "which", which)
-    assert find_py_launcher_python(f"{major}.{minor}").endswith(
-        f"Python{major}{minor}\\python.exe"
-    )
+    python_path = find_py_launcher_python(f"{major}.{minor}")
+    assert f"{major}.{minor}" in python_path or f"{major}{minor}" in python_path
+    assert python_path.endswith("python.exe")
 
 
 def test_windows_python_no_version_with_venv(monkeypatch):

From 478f4967ad5d40e6c18b2e4ddbd45d27e25bdad7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2023 22:04:21 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 16/20] Remove Windows dependency for py launcher

---
 CHANGELOG.md             | 2 +-
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 2 +-
 src/pipx/main.py         | 8 ++++----
 3 files changed, 6 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index bfbc1ecb79..1441433270 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ## dev
 
-- Windows: use the py launcher to select Python version with `--python` option
+- Use the py launcher, if available, to select Python version with the `--python` option
 - Support including requirements in scripts run using `pipx run` (#916)
 - Pass `pip_args` to `shared_libs.upgrade()`
 - Fallback to user's log path if the default log path (`$PIPX_HOME/logs`) is not writable to aid with pipx being used for multi-user (e.g. system-wide) installs of applications
diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index 56458e1410..f1cc9a922c 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ def run(
         # we can't parse this as a package
         package_name = app
 
-    if constants.WINDOWS and python and not Path(python).is_file():
+    if python and not Path(python).is_file():
         py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(python)
         if py_launcher:
             python = py_launcher
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index c52ce0c911..4f47a89b7c 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ def _add_install(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
             "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ def _add_reinstall(subparsers, venv_completer: VenvCompleter) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
             "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ def _add_reinstall_all(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
             "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ def _add_run(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher for Windows. "
+            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
             "Must be v3.6+."
         ),
     )

From fd967dfa26464c1cab681d5481b460c1b0af2ba4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:09:27 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 17/20] Make variable names more clear

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 6 +++---
 src/pipx/main.py         | 6 +++---
 2 files changed, 6 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index f1cc9a922c..e7448871d6 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -189,9 +189,9 @@ def run(
         package_name = app
 
     if python and not Path(python).is_file():
-        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(python)
-        if py_launcher:
-            python = py_launcher
+        py_launcher_python = find_py_launcher_python(python)
+        if py_launcher_python:
+            python = py_launcher_python
 
     content = None if spec is not None else maybe_script_content(app, is_path)
     if content is not None:
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 4f47a89b7c..27f302a65a 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -182,9 +182,9 @@ def run_pipx_command(args: argparse.Namespace) -> ExitCode:  # noqa: C901
     if "skip" in args:
         skip_list = [canonicalize_name(x) for x in args.skip]
     if "python" in args and WINDOWS and not Path(args.python).is_file():
-        py_launcher = find_py_launcher_python(args.python)
-        if py_launcher:
-            args.python = py_launcher
+        py_launcher_python = find_py_launcher_python(args.python)
+        if py_launcher_python:
+            args.python = py_launcher_python
 
     if args.command == "run":
         commands.run(

From 295f231252bed55e458fe992c31f11dfb1d9ede4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:24:06 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 18/20] Clarify --python help statements

---
 src/pipx/main.py | 20 ++++++++------------
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 27f302a65a..11b00094a6 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -345,9 +345,8 @@ def _add_install(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
-            "Must be v3.6+."
+            "Python to install with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
+            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
         ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)
@@ -489,9 +488,8 @@ def _add_reinstall(subparsers, venv_completer: VenvCompleter) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
-            "Must be v3.6+."
+            "Python to reinstall with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
+            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--verbose", action="store_true")
@@ -518,9 +516,8 @@ def _add_reinstall_all(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
-            "Must be v3.6+."
+            "Python to reinstall with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
+            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--skip", nargs="+", default=[], help="skip these packages")
@@ -596,9 +593,8 @@ def _add_run(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         "--python",
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
-            "The Python executable used to create the Virtual Environment and run the "
-            "associated app/apps. The Python version for the Python Launcher. "
-            "Must be v3.6+."
+            "Python to run with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
+            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
         ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)

From 82849edb59cc77872aaf5d45488a2346d8c36116 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2023 11:00:27 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 19/20] Remove redundant find py launcher in run

---
 src/pipx/commands/run.py | 6 ------
 src/pipx/main.py         | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 1 insertion(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/commands/run.py b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
index e7448871d6..9cc1d8baf8 100644
--- a/src/pipx/commands/run.py
+++ b/src/pipx/commands/run.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 from pipx.commands.common import package_name_from_spec
 from pipx.constants import TEMP_VENV_EXPIRATION_THRESHOLD_DAYS, WINDOWS
 from pipx.emojis import hazard
-from pipx.interpreter import find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import (
     PipxError,
     exec_app,
@@ -188,11 +187,6 @@ def run(
         # we can't parse this as a package
         package_name = app
 
-    if python and not Path(python).is_file():
-        py_launcher_python = find_py_launcher_python(python)
-        if py_launcher_python:
-            python = py_launcher_python
-
     content = None if spec is not None else maybe_script_content(app, is_path)
     if content is not None:
         run_script(content, app_args, python, pip_args, venv_args, verbose, use_cache)
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 11b00094a6..051b9979ed 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ def run_pipx_command(args: argparse.Namespace) -> ExitCode:  # noqa: C901
         logger.info(f"Virtual Environment location is {venv_dir}")
     if "skip" in args:
         skip_list = [canonicalize_name(x) for x in args.skip]
-    if "python" in args and WINDOWS and not Path(args.python).is_file():
+    if "python" in args and not Path(args.python).is_file():
         py_launcher_python = find_py_launcher_python(args.python)
         if py_launcher_python:
             args.python = py_launcher_python

From c22a19fc27a9c5b1ca3b3eaba15ab53f482833a2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dan Yeaw <dan@yeaw.me>
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:39:09 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 20/20] Restore minimum python verbiage, add constant

---
 src/pipx/constants.py | 1 +
 src/pipx/main.py      | 8 ++++++--
 2 files changed, 7 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/pipx/constants.py b/src/pipx/constants.py
index bdc87a7a43..f2efb6c8c4 100644
--- a/src/pipx/constants.py
+++ b/src/pipx/constants.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 LOCAL_BIN_DIR = Path(os.environ.get("PIPX_BIN_DIR", DEFAULT_PIPX_BIN_DIR)).resolve()
 PIPX_VENV_CACHEDIR = PIPX_HOME / ".cache"
 TEMP_VENV_EXPIRATION_THRESHOLD_DAYS = 14
+MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION = "3.8"
 
 ExitCode = NewType("ExitCode", int)
 # pipx shell exit codes
diff --git a/src/pipx/main.py b/src/pipx/main.py
index 051b9979ed..988f2d324e 100644
--- a/src/pipx/main.py
+++ b/src/pipx/main.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 from pipx import commands, constants
 from pipx.animate import hide_cursor, show_cursor
 from pipx.colors import bold, green
-from pipx.constants import WINDOWS, ExitCode
+from pipx.constants import MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION, WINDOWS, ExitCode
 from pipx.emojis import hazard
 from pipx.interpreter import DEFAULT_PYTHON, find_py_launcher_python
 from pipx.util import PipxError, mkdir, pipx_wrap, rmdir
@@ -347,6 +347,7 @@ def _add_install(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         help=(
             "Python to install with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
             "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
+            f"Requires Python {MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION} or above."
         ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)
@@ -490,6 +491,7 @@ def _add_reinstall(subparsers, venv_completer: VenvCompleter) -> None:
         help=(
             "Python to reinstall with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
             "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
+            f"Requires Python {MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION} or above."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--verbose", action="store_true")
@@ -518,6 +520,7 @@ def _add_reinstall_all(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         help=(
             "Python to reinstall with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
             "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
+            f"Requires Python {MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION} or above."
         ),
     )
     p.add_argument("--skip", nargs="+", default=[], help="skip these packages")
@@ -594,7 +597,8 @@ def _add_run(subparsers: argparse._SubParsersAction) -> None:
         default=DEFAULT_PYTHON,
         help=(
             "Python to run with. Possible values can be the executable name (python3.11), "
-            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable."
+            "the version to pass to py launcher (3.11), or the full path to the executable. "
+            f"Requires Python {MINIMUM_PYTHON_VERSION} or above."
         ),
     )
     add_pip_venv_args(p)