diff --git a/src/plugins/core/python.rs b/src/plugins/core/python.rs
index f7167f4bc..d716df138 100644
--- a/src/plugins/core/python.rs
+++ b/src/plugins/core/python.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ impl PythonPlugin {
             .join("plugins/python-build/bin/python-build")
     }
     fn install_or_update_python_build(&self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        ensure_not_windows()?;
         if self.python_build_path().exists() {
             self.update_python_build()
         } else {
@@ -139,11 +140,13 @@ impl PythonPlugin {
             Some((_, tag, filename)) => (tag, filename),
             None => {
                 if cfg!(windows) || Settings::get().python_compile == Some(false) {
-                    hint!(
-                        "python_compile",
-                        "To compile python from source, run",
-                        "mise settings set python_compile 1"
-                    );
+                    if !cfg!(windows) {
+                        hint!(
+                            "python_compile",
+                            "To compile python from source, run",
+                            "mise settings set python_compile 1"
+                        );
+                    }
                     bail!(
                         "no precompiled python found for {} on {}-{}",
                         ctx.tv.version,
@@ -158,12 +161,14 @@ impl PythonPlugin {
             }
         };
 
-        hint!(
-            "python_precompiled",
-            "installing precompiled python from indygreg/python-build-standalone\n\
-            if you experience issues with this python (e.g.: running poetry), switch to python-build by running",
-            "mise settings set python_compile 1"
-        );
+        if cfg!(unix) {
+            hint!(
+                "python_precompiled",
+                "installing precompiled python from indygreg/python-build-standalone\n\
+                if you experience issues with this python (e.g.: running poetry), switch to python-build by running",
+                "mise settings set python_compile 1"
+            );
+        }
 
         let url = format!(
             "https://github.com/indygreg/python-build-standalone/releases/download/{tag}/{filename}"
@@ -433,3 +438,10 @@ fn python_arch(settings: &Settings) -> &str {
         built_info::CFG_TARGET_ARCH
     }
 }
+
+fn ensure_not_windows() -> eyre::Result<()> {
+    if cfg!(windows) {
+        bail!("python can not currently be compiled on windows");
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}