[Python] Unable to run pip on venv (Group Policy error)

I'm trying to run a small Python script using a venv on VS Code. The script uses two external packages listed in the requirements.txt file included on the scripts package.

When I try to run the script, I get the following error because one of the external packages is missing:

File "C:\Users\somepath\scriptfolder\thescript.py", line 17, in <module>
import aiofiles
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'aiofiles'


So I try to install the missing external package manually using the PIP command, but then I get the following error

(.venv) PS C:\Users\somepath\scriptfolder> pip install aiofiles==22.1.0
Program 'pip.exe' failed to run: This program is blocked by group policy. For more information, contact your system administratorAt line:1 char:1
+ pip install aiofiles==22.1.0
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
At line:1 char:1
+ pip install aiofiles==22.1.0
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : ResourceUnavailable: ) [], ApplicationFailedException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : NativeCommandFailed

(.venv) PS C:\Users\somepath\scriptfolder>


Relevant notes:

• 
  Python interpreter works fine on both venv and local drive (e.g. run from cmd).
  
  
• 
  PIP is installed correctly on Windows (runs fine when I run it from cmd)
  
  
• 
  If I look in the scriptfolder\venv\Scripts folder I can see the following:
  
  activate.bat deactivate.bat python.exe pip.exe pip3.11.exe pythonw.exe
  

Continue reading...