I use infomaniak email with a custom domain. Is around 2 USD per user with unlimited storage. The web UI has an email import tool that works with Gmail. You get a manager UI to manage accounts and settings (sometimes a bit confusing, but works).

After checking many providers, this was the best alternative for me. I hope that helps.

Ok. Thank you for the explanation!

I’m just now thinking out los here, but would it make sense to use a PowerShell script to silently install miniconda and create a venv with a specific version?

Something like

@echo off
REM Download Miniconda installer (replace URL with the latest version)
powershell -Command "Invoke-WebRequest https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Windows-x86_64.exe -OutFile miniconda.exe"

REM Install Miniconda silently
start /wait "" miniconda.exe /InstallationType=JustMe /RegisterPython=0 /S /D=%UserProfile%\Miniconda3

REM Create a new environment with the specific Python version
call %UserProfile%\Miniconda3\Scripts\activate.bat
call conda create -y -n py39 python=3.9

REM Optional: Set permissions for multi-user access
icacls %UserProfile%\Miniconda3 /grant:r Users:(OI)(CI)F /T

More on that here https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/silent-mode/

Again, this is just an idea, but if this works then you won’t have a problem anymore (maybe?).

I get your points!

But just out of curiosity, did you try using miniconda to install older python versions? That works wonders for me, also on windows 11.