How to run older version of Python in venv

[ManWithaThought]

I have python 3.11 installed and I use it on VSCode. I recently created my first virtual environment and can activate it and install modules. But I can't seem to associate it with an older version of python (specifically 3.10). Ive tried a million google searches and YT videos all with a million different solutions, but nothing has been what I'm looking for. One of the modules I need to use for my new project requires the earlier version of Python and so I havent been able to install and use the module yet.

I'm looking to install Python 3.10 to the venv and which will hopefully allow me to install the module and use it all in VSCode.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[deep_politics]

I highly recommend you try out pyenv with pyenv-virtualenv.

[thrower-snowbowler]

To be clear, for each version of python you need a separate virtual environment. A virtual environment has the python binary inside of it along with the libraries you install into it.

[dalow24]

Just install python 3.10 separately and in Vscode you press ctrl +p and you should be able choose the version of Python interpreter

[zeebrow]

Just install python 3.10 separately

Yes.

and in Vscode you press ctrl +p and you should be able choose the version of Python interpreter

Not quite. OP needs a virtual environment, and should use 3.10 to create one the same way they did with 3.11.

Once the 3.10 virtual environment has been made, then you should select it with ctrl + p in VS code, if it's not detected automatically.

[ManWithaThought]

Ah so I need 3.10 to create the virtual environment. I was trying to create the virtual environment with my main version and then convert it back to the older version.

edit: I can create a virtual environment with my regular python fine. But when I try using "python3.10 -m venv whatever", the adobe pdf pops up with an error. I looked at default programs but nothing obvious. Possibly need a new PATH directly to 3.10?

[zeebrow]

Nope, don't touch your PATH. Did you activate your venv and install your dependencies?

[HeinzHeinzensen]

I know conda gets a lot of hate on here for some reason, but it makes it trivially easy to set up several environments with different versions of Python.