<div class="hn-table">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<td>Feature</td><td>Python Launcher for Windows</td><td>Python Launcher for Unix</td></tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Platform</td><td>Windows</td><td>Unix-like operating systems</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Selecting Python version</td><td>Based on shebang lines, file extensions, command-line options, using environment variables or configuration files (.ini)</td><td>Based on shebang lines, using <code>PY_PYTHON</code> environment variables, specifying a specific version or in the the <code>PATH</code> environment variable</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Virtual environments</td><td>Can be used</td><td>Can be used</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Conda environments</td><td>Not supported</td><td>Can be used</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Interactive mode</td><td>Available</td><td>Available</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Launching scripts</td><td>From command line or file explorer</td><td>From command line</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Cross-platform support</td><td>Not applicable</td><td>Yes</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Install Python on demand</td><td>Available (via installer)[^1][^2]</td><td>Not available</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><p>[^1]: <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#install-on-demand">https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#install-on-demand</a> Python Launcher for Windows has the additional feature of being able to install Python on demand via its installer, which is not available in Python Launcher for Unix. This allows users to easily install Python if it is not already installed on their system</p>
<p>[^2]: <a target="_blank" href="https://gist.github.com/oleksis/c22ed90daa922c1a072d2593a7f8d5b4#python-launcher-for-windows-installer">https://gist.github.com/oleksis/c22ed90daa922c1a072d2593a7f8d5b4#python-launcher-for-windows-installer</a> Python Launcher for Windows Installer</p>


| Feature | Python Launcher for Windows | Python Launcher for Unix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Platform | Windows | Unix-like operating systems |
| Selecting Python version | Based on shebang lines, file extensions, command-line options, using environment variables or configuration files (.ini) | Based on shebang lines, using `PY_PYTHON` environment variables, specifying a specific version or in the the `PATH` environment variable |
| Virtual environments | Can be used | Can be used |
| Conda environments | Not supported | Can be used |
| Interactive mode | Available | Available |
| Launching scripts | From command line or file explorer | From command line |
| Cross-platform support | Not applicable | Yes |
| Install Python on demand | Available (via installer)\[^1\]\[^2\] | Not available |

\[^1\]: [https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#install-on-demand](https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#install-on-demand) Python Launcher for Windows has the additional feature of being able to install Python on demand via its installer, which is not available in Python Launcher for Unix. This allows users to easily install Python if it is not already installed on their system

\[^2\]: [https://gist.github.com/oleksis/c22ed90daa922c1a072d2593a7f8d5b4#python-launcher-for-windows-installer](https://gist.github.com/oleksis/c22ed90daa922c1a072d2593a7f8d5b4#python-launcher-for-windows-installer) Python Launcher for Windows Installer

Feature	Python Launcher for Windows	Python Launcher for Unix
Platform	Windows	Unix-like operating systems
Selecting Python version	Based on shebang lines, file extensions, command-line options, using environment variables or configuration files (.ini)	Based on shebang lines, using `PY_PYTHON` environment variables, specifying a specific version or in the the `PATH` environment variable
Virtual environments	Can be used	Can be used
Conda environments	Not supported	Can be used
Interactive mode	Available	Available
Launching scripts	From command line or file explorer	From command line
Cross-platform support	Not applicable	Yes
Install Python on demand	Available (via installer)[^1][^2]	Not available

Comparison between Python Launcher for Windows and Unix