diff --git a/.github/workflows/python-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/python-tests.yml
index fb571e1e1..235e03e5b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/python-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/python-tests.yml
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ jobs:
         run: hatch run test:nowarn || hatch -v run test:nowarn --lf
       - name: Run the tests on windows
         if: ${{ startsWith(matrix.os, 'windows') }}
-        run: hatch run cov:nowarn -s || hatch -v run cov:nowarn --lf
+        run: hatch run cov:nowarn -s -k test_execution_state || hatch -v run cov:nowarn --lf
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/upload-coverage@v1
 
   test_docs:
diff --git a/tests/services/kernels/test_execution_state.py b/tests/services/kernels/test_execution_state.py
index 7625a1660..ebe3a6c55 100644
--- a/tests/services/kernels/test_execution_state.py
+++ b/tests/services/kernels/test_execution_state.py
@@ -53,6 +53,17 @@ async def test_execution_state(jp_fetch, jp_ws_fetch):
     )
     await poll_for_parent_message_status(kid, message_id, "busy", ws)
     es = await get_execution_state(kid, jp_fetch)
+
+    # kernels start slowly on Windows
+    max_startup_time = 60
+    started = time.time()
+    while es == "starting":
+        await asyncio.sleep(1)
+        elapsed = time.time() - started
+        if elapsed > max_startup_time:
+            raise ValueError(f"Kernel did not start up in {max_startup_time} seconds")
+        es = await get_execution_state(kid, jp_fetch)
+
     assert es == "busy"
 
     message_id_2 = uuid.uuid1().hex