diff --git a/scripts/install.ps1 b/scripts/install.ps1
index 1269bee8b6c..01125ff4a7e 100644
--- a/scripts/install.ps1
+++ b/scripts/install.ps1
@@ -1431,6 +1431,15 @@ function Install-Venv {
     
     if (Test-Path "venv") {
         Write-Info "Virtual environment already exists, recreating..."
+        # On Windows, native Python extensions (e.g. _bcrypt.pyd) are loaded as
+        # DLLs by any running hermes process. Windows denies deletion of loaded
+        # DLLs, so kill any hermes.exe tree before removing the venv.
+        if ($env:OS -eq "Windows_NT") {
+            $myPid = $PID
+            Write-Info "Stopping any running hermes processes before recreating venv..."
+            & taskkill /F /T /IM hermes.exe /FI "PID ne $myPid" 2>$null | Out-Null
+            Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 800
+        }
         Remove-Item -Recurse -Force "venv"
     }