diff --git a/scripts/backup-database.sh b/scripts/backup-database.sh
index eedec3e..c75d533 100755
--- a/scripts/backup-database.sh
+++ b/scripts/backup-database.sh
@@ -73,6 +73,24 @@ POSTGRES_USER="${POSTGRES_USER:-translate}"
 POSTGRES_DB="${POSTGRES_DB:-translate_db}"
 POSTGRES_PASSWORD="${POSTGRES_PASSWORD:-}"
 
+# Resolve Python command for SQLite backups
+PYTHON_CMD="python"
+if [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/bin/python" ]; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/bin/python"
+elif [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/Scripts/python" ]; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/Scripts/python"
+elif [ -f "${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/Scripts/python.exe" ]; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.venv/Scripts/python.exe"
+elif command -v python3 &>/dev/null; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="python3"
+elif command -v python &>/dev/null; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="python"
+elif command -v py &>/dev/null; then
+    PYTHON_CMD="py"
+else
+    log_warning "Could not find a Python installation on PATH or in .venv. SQLite backups may fail."
+fi
+
 # ==============================================================================
 # 2. VALIDATION AND PREPARATION
 # ==============================================================================
@@ -151,19 +169,27 @@ create_backup() {
 
         # Safe online backup using Python
         local temp_db="${BACKUP_DIR}/daily/temp_${TIMESTAMP}.db"
-        if ! python -c "
-import sqlite3, sys
+        if ! "${PYTHON_CMD}" -c "
+import sqlite3, sys, os, re
 try:
-    src = sqlite3.connect(r'${SQLITE_PATH}')
-    dst = sqlite3.connect(r'${temp_db}')
+    src_raw, dst_raw = sys.argv[1], sys.argv[2]
+    if sys.platform == 'win32':
+        m_src = re.match(r'^/(?:mnt/)?([a-zA-Z])/(.*)', src_raw)
+        if m_src:
+            src_raw = m_src.group(1) + ':/' + m_src.group(2)
+        m_dst = re.match(r'^/(?:mnt/)?([a-zA-Z])/(.*)', dst_raw)
+        if m_dst:
+            dst_raw = m_dst.group(1) + ':/' + m_dst.group(2)
+    src = sqlite3.connect(os.path.abspath(src_raw))
+    dst = sqlite3.connect(os.path.abspath(dst_raw))
     with dst:
         src.backup(dst)
     src.close()
     dst.close()
 except Exception as e:
-    print(e, file=sys.stderr)
+    print(f'Python SQLite error: {e}', file=sys.stderr)
     sys.exit(1)
-" 2>/dev/null; then
+" "${SQLITE_PATH}" "${temp_db}"; then
             log_error "SQLite online backup failed! Checking if DB is locked."
             send_notification "Wordly DB Backup FAILED: SQLite online backup script error."
             exit 1
@@ -348,19 +374,27 @@ restore_backup() {
         gunzip -c "${archive_path}" > "${temp_restore_db}"
         
         # Overwrite database safely using Python (ensures open handles or locks are respected)
-        if ! python -c "
-import sqlite3, sys
+        if ! "${PYTHON_CMD}" -c "
+import sqlite3, sys, os, re
 try:
-    src = sqlite3.connect(r'${temp_restore_db}')
-    dst = sqlite3.connect(r'${SQLITE_PATH}')
+    src_raw, dst_raw = sys.argv[1], sys.argv[2]
+    if sys.platform == 'win32':
+        m_src = re.match(r'^/(?:mnt/)?([a-zA-Z])/(.*)', src_raw)
+        if m_src:
+            src_raw = m_src.group(1) + ':/' + m_src.group(2)
+        m_dst = re.match(r'^/(?:mnt/)?([a-zA-Z])/(.*)', dst_raw)
+        if m_dst:
+            dst_raw = m_dst.group(1) + ':/' + m_dst.group(2)
+    src = sqlite3.connect(os.path.abspath(src_raw))
+    dst = sqlite3.connect(os.path.abspath(dst_raw))
     with dst:
         src.backup(dst)
     src.close()
     dst.close()
 except Exception as e:
-    print(e, file=sys.stderr)
+    print(f'Python SQLite restore error: {e}', file=sys.stderr)
     sys.exit(1)
-" 2>/dev/null; then
+" "${temp_restore_db}" "${SQLITE_PATH}"; then
             log_error "SQLite restore swap operation failed!"
             rm -f "${temp_restore_db}"
             exit 1