Select python version in windows-2019 runner agent?

[mpconte]

I noticed that in the windows-2019 agent there are a list of python versions with 3.7.9 set to default. Is it possible to assign a different default python version without the need to use the setup-python action?

The issue I'm running into is that I'm trying to run a CMake build for boost python modules in my action but it keeps trying to use the default installed python version instead of the one I want to use that I tried to setup using the setup-python action (3.8)

[mikhailkoliada]

@mpconte Hi!

3.7.9 is in the PATH variable by default, if you call the $env:PATH command in your workflow you are going to see the C:\hostedtoolcache\windows\Python\3.7.9\x64\Scripts; amongst many others, therefore you can change the PATH the way you wish and be fine without the setup-python task as setup-python in fact modifies $env:PATH too.

[mpconte]

@mikhailkoliada Thanks for your response.

From what I gather, there's no real means of selecting the version of python you want without mangling the PATH variable?

[mikhailkoliada]

@mpconte yes, you are right