Suggest to add system-wide install for the new Python Install Manager (PIM) for Windows

Ideas
1

Hello Python Windows team and community,

I am writing to suggest an important feature enhancement for the new Python Install Manager (PIM) that would greatly improve its utility for system administrators, educators, and users in multi-user environments.

The Problem: Missing System-Wide Runtime Installation

The move towards the new PIM (MSIX package) is appreciated for enabling unprivileged, user-local installations and easy version management. However, this shift has complicated a critical administrative need: installing a specific Python runtime version (e.g., Python 3.14) for all users on a machine.

  1. Deprecated Method: The older, “Full Installer” (.exe) provided a clear “Install for all users” option, which satisfied this need by placing the installation in a centralized location like C:\Program Files.
  2. Current PIM Gap: While the PIM itself can be provisioned system-wide by an administrator (using tools like Add-AppxProvisionedPackage), the documentation notes that each individual user still needs to install their own copies of the Python runtime. This is problematic for:
    • Shared computing labs or classroom environments.
    • Centralized software deployment (e.g., SCCM, Intune).
    • CI/CD agents that need a guaranteed system-wide binary without being dependent on a specific user profile installation.

Proposed Feature: System-Wide Runtime Command

I suggest adding an administrative-level command or parameter to the py or pymanager tool to trigger a system-wide (all-users) installation of a Python runtime, requiring elevated privileges.

Suggested Syntax:

# Requires Administrator privileges
pymanager install <tag> --system-wide
# OR
py install -V:<tag> --all-users

Functionality Details:

  • The specified Python runtime (<tag>) would be installed to a non-user-specific path, likely within C:\Program Files.
  • The necessary system PATH entries and file associations for that version would be made globally available.
  • This command would only function when run by a user with administrator rights.

Benefits

  1. Simplified Deployment: Administrators can use a single, official Python-provided command to standardize Python versions across a fleet of computers.
  2. Consistency: Ensures that every user on the machine can access the exact same version of Python immediately, without needing to trigger a separate, individual installation.
  3. Modern Administration: Provides a command-line interface for system-wide installation, which aligns with modern DevOps and system management practices, filling the gap left by the deprecation of the Full Installer.

Thank you for considering this enhancement. I look forward to hearing the team’s and community’s feedback on the technical feasibility and desirability of this feature.

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