C:\cygwin64\bin\python3 doesn't work from cmd

[Marco Atzeri]

On 07/10/2025 14:17, gamer 191 via Cygwin wrote:
> Hi,
> I noticed that C:\cygwin64\bin\python3 doesn't work if I invoke it from
> command prompt, likely because it doesn't have the .exe extension. It works
> if I create a copy named python3.exe.
> Kind regards,
> gamer191
> 

Hi Gamer

python3 is a Cygwin link managed by alternatives and NOT understood by
command prompt.


$ ls -l python3
lrwxrwxrwx 1 marco Administrators 25 May 21  2023 python3 -> 
/etc/alternatives/python3

$ alternatives --display python3
python3 - status is auto.
  link currently points to /usr/bin/python3.9
/usr/bin/python3.8 - priority 38
/usr/bin/python3.9 - priority 39
Current `best' version is /usr/bin/python3.9.

 From CMD you need to invoke directly the relative python3.9.exe

c:\cygwin64\bin>dir /A /S python3*.*
  Volume in drive C is OS
  Volume Serial Number is 2232-4AA9

  Directory of c:\cygwin64\bin

21/05/2023  20:47                64 python3
21/05/2023  20:48                78 python3-config
10/03/2023  00:34             3,420 python3.8-config
10/03/2023  00:34             9,747 python3.8.exe
08/03/2023  23:52             3,048 python3.9-config
08/03/2023  23:53             9,747 python3.9.exe
                8 File(s)         38,879 bytes