Member Avatar for degarb

I tried to install python on xp, however pythonw.exe would not initialize. I think there is a registry setting conflict with either, lua or mediamall (which uses lua heavily).

Possibly, it could be another issue. It also makes me wonder if Python could be a security risk.

I have always wondered if python could do everything autoit or ahk can do.

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reported pythonw.exe failing to initialize on Windows XP. correctly recommended capturing any error output from a console, and pointed out that IDEs mask some of these symptoms. The notes below extend those hints with concrete diagnostics and practical context that usually identify the root cause (missing runtime DLLs, architecture mismatch, registry/file‑association problems, or third‑party hooks).

Start with reproducible artifacts and then work through the checklist:

  • Capture error artifacts: launch the interpreter from a command prompt (full path to the executable) and note any text output. If the process exits silently, inspect the Windows Event Viewer (Application log) for an "Application Error" and the listed "Faulting module" name — that single token is often diagnostic.
  • Check binary dependencies: run a dependency checker (Dependency Walker or an equivalent) against pythonw.exe to reveal missing or incompatible DLLs. Missing MSVCR*.dll or similar indicates a Visual C++ runtime mismatch; install the redistributable that matches the Python build.
  • Confirm architecture and installer: ensure the installed Python (32‑bit vs 64‑bit) matches the OS. On older XP machines a 32‑bit build is usually required. A clean reinstall to a simple path (for example C:\PythonXX) can remove installer-induced quirks.
  • Verify file associations and registry hooks: use assoc .py and ftype to see how .py/.pyw files are bound, and check relevant HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT entries if comfortable with the registry. Third‑party apps that install global hooks (some Lua plugins, media utilities) can overwrite handlers or inject DLLs.
  • Rule out external interference: temporarily stop Mediamall/Lua components and any antivirus/file‑monitoring tools; a hooking DLL can prevent interpreter startup.

On security and automation: Python itself is not inherently unsafe — executing untrusted scripts or running on an unsupported OS (Windows XP) is the main risk. For Windows automation, Python plus libraries like pywinauto, pyautogui or pywin32 can reproduce almost all AutoIt/AHK tasks and scale better for larger projects; AutoIt/AHK remain convenient for very small, single‑purpose GUI scripts.

A captured faulting module name or console trace almost always points to the fix. Combining 's console check with dependency analysis and registry verification is the fastest path to a solution.

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Member Avatar for Lucaci Andrew

What is the error that comes out of your pythonw.exe? Try runnning it in a cmd window to see if you have any errors.

Member Avatar for bumsfeld

If you execute python.exe, it comes up with the black console window.
If you execute pythonw.exe, nothing will show. It is used for GUI programs where the black console window would interfere.

Actually, if you use one of the many IDE (like IDLE), to run your code, then you don't have to worry about this.

Edited by bumsfeld
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