ArcGIS Pro 2.8.1 keeps changing Python environment back to default

[Joshua-Young]

After installing the patch for ArcGIS Pro 2.8.1, every time I launch an ArcGIS Pro project that has an existing Python Notebook the active Python environment changes back to arcgispro-py3. The only thing that changed was installing the 2.8.1 patch. I have tried reinstalling ArcGIS Pro and cloning to different locations, but as soon as I open that notebook the active environment changes back to arcgispro-py3.

The notebook previously used a cloned environment with no issues.

[DanPatterson]

To rule out the notebook, create a new one with minimal content and see if the behaviour persists.

If it does, report it to Tech Support to see if it has been reported before and if

[DylanT_EsriCanada · Accepted solution]

Hi @Joshua-Young, it looks like Esri Inc is aware of this issue and a bug has been created. For now, you can get around this issue by downgrading to 2.8.0 or previous versions. Hopefully this will be fixed soon.

Cheers,

Dylan

[DanPatterson]

Do you have a bug number so Joshua can subscribe to it?

[Joshua-Young]

Thank you! I went back to 2.8.0 and that fixed the issue.

[DylanT_EsriCanada]

Glad to hear!

[DylanT_EsriCanada]

Hi @Joshua-Young, the defect number for what is likely your issue is BUG-000141015. Please feel free to log a support case and mention this issue if you like.

Thanks,
Dylan

[MarcoBoeringa · Accepted solution]

@DylanT_EsriCanada 

This is unfortunately not really a solution...

What is a possible "workaround" is the suggestion / workaround listed with the bug you referenced (BUG-000141015, you need to login to the Technical Support site and search for this bug number to see the full listing of this bug):

"Manually copy arcgis\bin\python\envs\arcgispro-py3\Lib\site-packages\arcgisscripting\_arcgisscripting.pyd to the appropriate location in the cloned environment."

The unspecified "appropriate location" seems to be simply the equivalent "Lib\site-packages\arcgisscripting" subfolder of the cloned environment (full path "C:\Users\<YOUR_USER_NAME>\AppData\Local\ESRI\conda\envs\arcgispro-py3-clone\Lib\site-packages\arcgisscripting").

There is already an existing "_arcgisscripting.py" file there, overwriting it though, solved my issues with the cloned Python environment in a project not being properly recognized and switching back to default.

[Oliver_Burdekin]

As @MarcoBoeringa says the:
"Manually copy arcgis\bin\python\envs\arcgispro-py3\Lib\site-packages\arcgisscripting\_arcgisscripting.pyd to the appropriate location in the cloned environment."

worked for me too.

If anyone's having difficulty locating the right file locations etc I made an explainer vid here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6wojxh0j8

[TilmannSteinmetz2]

Did this get fixed in 2.8.2 yet (which we haven't been able to roll out to everyone yet)?