diff --git a/AutoDuck/fixHelpCompression.py b/AutoDuck/fixHelpCompression.py
index de4008e722..593de44825 100644
--- a/AutoDuck/fixHelpCompression.py
+++ b/AutoDuck/fixHelpCompression.py
@@ -7,10 +7,8 @@
 
 fname = sys.argv[1]
 
-try:
-    os.stat(fname)
-except OSError:
-    sys.stderr.write("The project file '%s' was not found\n" % (fname))
+if not os.path.exists(fname):
+    sys.stderr.write(f"The project file '{fname}' was not found\n")
     sys.exit(1)
 
 win32api.WriteProfileVal("options", "COMPRESS", "12 Hall Zeck", fname)
diff --git a/Pythonwin/pywin/Demos/hiertest.py b/Pythonwin/pywin/Demos/hiertest.py
index a22dc3b946..763d658efb 100644
--- a/Pythonwin/pywin/Demos/hiertest.py
+++ b/Pythonwin/pywin/Demos/hiertest.py
@@ -101,12 +101,9 @@ def __init__(self, filename):
 
     def GetText(self):
         try:
-            return "%-20s %d bytes" % (
-                os.path.basename(self.filename),
-                os.stat(self.filename)[6],
-            )
+            return f"{os.path.basename(self.filename):<20} {os.stat(self.filename)[6]} bytes"
         except OSError as details:
-            return "%-20s - %s" % (self.filename, details[1])
+            return f"{self.filename:<20} - {details[1]}"
 
     def IsExpandable(self):
         return os.path.isdir(self.filename)
diff --git a/Pythonwin/pywin/framework/scriptutils.py b/Pythonwin/pywin/framework/scriptutils.py
index abf5a40c13..6bcb5ef119 100644
--- a/Pythonwin/pywin/framework/scriptutils.py
+++ b/Pythonwin/pywin/framework/scriptutils.py
@@ -284,10 +284,9 @@ def RunScript(defName=None, defArgs=None, bShowDialog=1, debuggingType=None):
     # If no path specified, try and locate the file
     path, fnameonly = os.path.split(script)
     if len(path) == 0:
-        try:
-            os.stat(fnameonly)  # See if it is OK as is...
+        if os.path.exists(fnameonly):  # See if it is OK as is...
             script = fnameonly
-        except OSError:
+        else:
             fullScript = LocatePythonFile(script)
             if fullScript is None:
                 win32ui.MessageBox("The file '%s' can not be located" % script)
@@ -637,9 +636,7 @@ def FindTabNanny():
         print("          The file '%s' can not be located" % (filename))
         return None
     fname = os.path.join(path, "Tools\\Scripts\\%s" % filename)
-    try:
-        os.stat(fname)
-    except OSError:
+    if not os.path.exists(fname):
         print(f"WARNING - The file '{filename}' can not be located in path '{path}'")
         return None
 
diff --git a/com/win32com/client/gencache.py b/com/win32com/client/gencache.py
index 4012cb2a58..59f5c8d124 100644
--- a/com/win32com/client/gencache.py
+++ b/com/win32com/client/gencache.py
@@ -168,15 +168,9 @@ def GetGeneratePath():
     Checks the directory is OK.
     """
     assert not is_readonly, "Why do you want the genpath for a readonly store?"
-    try:
-        os.makedirs(win32com.__gen_path__)
-        # os.mkdir(win32com.__gen_path__)
-    except OSError:
-        pass
-    try:
-        fname = os.path.join(win32com.__gen_path__, "__init__.py")
-        os.stat(fname)
-    except OSError:
+    os.makedirs(win32com.__gen_path__, exist_ok=True)
+    fname = os.path.join(win32com.__gen_path__, "__init__.py")
+    if not os.path.exists(fname):
         f = open(fname, "w")
         f.write(
             "# Generated file - this directory may be deleted to reset the COM cache...\n"
diff --git a/com/win32com/server/register.py b/com/win32com/server/register.py
index 8a05ea117f..f68f6781a2 100644
--- a/com/win32com/server/register.py
+++ b/com/win32com/server/register.py
@@ -133,18 +133,14 @@ def _find_localserver_module():
     path = next(iter(win32com.server.__path__))
     baseName = "localserver"
     pyfile = os.path.join(path, baseName + ".py")
-    try:
-        os.stat(pyfile)
-    except OSError:
+    if not os.path.exists(pyfile):
         # See if we have a compiled extension
         if __debug__:
             ext = ".pyc"
         else:
             ext = ".pyo"
         pyfile = os.path.join(path, baseName + ext)
-        try:
-            os.stat(pyfile)
-        except OSError:
+        if not os.path.exists(pyfile):
             raise RuntimeError(
                 "Can not locate the Python module 'win32com.server.%s'" % baseName
             )
diff --git a/com/win32com/test/GenTestScripts.py b/com/win32com/test/GenTestScripts.py
index 8b09df0771..85770295c1 100644
--- a/com/win32com/test/GenTestScripts.py
+++ b/com/win32com/test/GenTestScripts.py
@@ -28,10 +28,7 @@ def GetGenPath():
 def GenerateFromRegistered(fname, *loadArgs):
     #       tlb = apply(pythoncom.LoadRegTypeLib, loadArgs)
     genPath = GetGenPath()
-    try:
-        os.stat(genPath)
-    except OSError:
-        os.mkdir(genPath)
+    os.makedirs(genPath, exist_ok=True)
     # Ensure an __init__ exists.
     open(os.path.join(genPath, "__init__.py"), "w").close()
     print(fname, ": generating -", end=" ")
diff --git a/com/win32comext/shell/demos/servers/column_provider.py b/com/win32comext/shell/demos/servers/column_provider.py
index 092f99ff86..8bfd67134a 100644
--- a/com/win32comext/shell/demos/servers/column_provider.py
+++ b/com/win32comext/shell/demos/servers/column_provider.py
@@ -80,8 +80,7 @@ def GetItemData(self, colid, colData):
             ext = ".pyo"
         check_file = os.path.splitext(name)[0] + ext
         try:
-            st = os.stat(check_file)
-            return st[stat.ST_SIZE]
+            return os.stat(check_file)[stat.ST_SIZE]
         except OSError:
             # No file
             return None
diff --git a/win32/Lib/regcheck.py b/win32/Lib/regcheck.py
index 27aab3e5d6..66103fd785 100644
--- a/win32/Lib/regcheck.py
+++ b/win32/Lib/regcheck.py
@@ -18,13 +18,15 @@
 
 def CheckRegisteredExe(exename):
     try:
-        os.stat(
+        if os.path.exists(
             win32api.RegQueryValue(
                 regutil.GetRootKey(), regutil.GetAppPathsKey() + "\\" + exename
             )
-        )
-    except (OSError, win32api.error):
-        print("Registration of %s - Not registered correctly" % exename)
+        ):
+            return
+    except win32api.error:
+        pass
+    print(f"Registration of {exename} - Not registered correctly")
 
 
 def CheckPathString(pathString):
@@ -110,11 +112,10 @@ def CheckHelpFiles(verbose):
                 if verbose:
                     print("\t" + helpDesc + ":", end=" ")
                 # query the os section.
-                try:
-                    os.stat(helpFile)
+                if os.path.exists(helpFile):
                     if verbose:
                         print(helpFile)
-                except OSError:
+                else:
                     print("** Help file %s does not exist" % helpFile)
                 keyNo += 1
             except win32api.error as exc:
diff --git a/win32/Lib/regutil.py b/win32/Lib/regutil.py
index 5a72bc7aac..24c227236d 100644
--- a/win32/Lib/regutil.py
+++ b/win32/Lib/regutil.py
@@ -145,11 +145,7 @@ def RegisterModule(modName, modPath):
     modName -- The name of the module, as used by import.
     modPath -- The full path and file name of the module.
     """
-    try:
-        import os
-
-        os.stat(modPath)
-    except OSError:
+    if not os.path.exists(modPath):
         print("Warning: Registering non-existant module %s" % modPath)
     win32api.RegSetValue(
         GetRootKey(),
@@ -204,11 +200,9 @@ def RegisterHelpFile(helpFile, helpPath, helpDesc=None, bCheckFile=1):
     if helpDesc is None:
         helpDesc = helpFile
     fullHelpFile = os.path.join(helpPath, helpFile)
-    try:
-        if bCheckFile:
-            os.stat(fullHelpFile)
-    except OSError:
-        raise ValueError("Help file does not exist")
+    if bCheckFile:
+        if not os.path.exists(fullHelpFile):
+            raise ValueError("Help file does not exist")
     # Now register with Python itself.
     win32api.RegSetValue(
         GetRootKey(),
@@ -264,11 +258,8 @@ def RegisterCoreDLL(coredllName=None):
     if coredllName is None:
         coredllName = win32api.GetModuleFileName(sys.dllhandle)
         # must exist!
-    else:
-        try:
-            os.stat(coredllName)
-        except OSError:
-            print("Warning: Registering non-existant core DLL %s" % coredllName)
+    elif not os.path.exists(coredllName):
+        print(f"Warning: Registering non-existant core DLL {coredllName}")
 
     hKey = win32api.RegCreateKey(GetRootKey(), BuildDefaultPythonKey())
     try:
diff --git a/win32/scripts/VersionStamp/BrandProject.py b/win32/scripts/VersionStamp/BrandProject.py
index 9d3d816dbe..b6e2f118ca 100644
--- a/win32/scripts/VersionStamp/BrandProject.py
+++ b/win32/scripts/VersionStamp/BrandProject.py
@@ -86,12 +86,10 @@ def usage(msg):
         usage("You must specify the required arguments")
     vssProjectName = "$\\" + args[0]
     descFile = args[1]
+    if not os.path.exists(descFile):
+        usage(f"The description file '{descFile}' can not be found")
     path = args[2]
-    try:
-        os.stat(descFile)
-    except OSError:
-        usage("The description file '%s' can not be found" % (descFile))
     if not os.path.isdir(path):
-        usage("The path to the files to stamp '%s' does not exist" % (path))
+        usage(f"The path to the files to stamp '{path}' does not exist")
 
     BrandProject(vssProjectName, descFile, path, stampFiles, desc, bAuto, bRebrand)
diff --git a/win32/scripts/backupEventLog.py b/win32/scripts/backupEventLog.py
index 2a4ea5024e..7c255e4059 100644
--- a/win32/scripts/backupEventLog.py
+++ b/win32/scripts/backupEventLog.py
@@ -8,21 +8,15 @@
 
 def BackupClearLog(logType):
     datePrefix = time.strftime("%Y%m%d", time.localtime(time.time()))
-    fileExists = 1
     retry = 0
-    while fileExists:
-        if retry == 0:
-            index = ""
-        else:
-            index = "-%d" % retry
-        try:
-            fname = os.path.join(
-                win32api.GetTempPath(),
-                f"{datePrefix}{index}-{logType}" + ".evt",
-            )
-            os.stat(fname)
-        except OSError:
-            fileExists = 0
+    while True:  # file exists
+        index = "" if retry == 0 else f"-{retry}"
+        fname = os.path.join(
+            win32api.GetTempPath(),
+            f"{datePrefix}{index}-{logType}.evt",
+        )
+        if not os.path.exists(fname):
+            break
         retry += 1
     # OK - have unique file name.
     try:
diff --git a/win32/scripts/regsetup.py b/win32/scripts/regsetup.py
index ca44ed672b..c7814b57df 100644
--- a/win32/scripts/regsetup.py
+++ b/win32/scripts/regsetup.py
@@ -12,11 +12,7 @@ def FileExists(fname):
     """Check if a file exists.  Returns true or false."""
     import os
 
-    try:
-        os.stat(fname)
-        return 1
-    except OSError as details:
-        return 0
+    return os.path.exists(fname)
 
 
 def IsPackageDir(path, packageName, knownFileName):
@@ -188,11 +184,10 @@ def LocateFileName(fileNamesString, searchPaths):
     fileNames = fileNamesString.split(";")
     for path in searchPaths:
         for fileName in fileNames:
-            try:
-                retPath = os.path.join(path, fileName)
-                os.stat(retPath)
+            retPath = os.path.join(path, fileName)
+            if os.path.exists(retPath):
                 break
-            except OSError:
+            else:
                 retPath = None
         if retPath:
             break