[BUG] Reopening of Claude Desktop Installation Fails on Windows 11 - Signature Verification & Unable to Load #25385

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/25162
2. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/25194
3. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/25313

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

Adding a related but distinct symptom: OAuth token immediately cleared on startup (v1.1.3363, MSIX, enterprise)

Environment:

OS: Windows 11 Pro 10.0.26200 (enterprise-managed via Intune)
Claude Desktop: v1.1.3363 (MSIX / Windows Store package: Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc)
Previous working version: v1.1.3189
Developer Mode: disabled via policy (same constraint as OP)
Symptom:
Claude Desktop launches briefly, shows the splash screen, then crashes in a loop. No error dialog — the window simply disappears within a few seconds.

Root cause found in logs:

In %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc\LocalCache\Roaming\Claude\logs\main.log:

[oauth] obtained new token
[growthbook] refreshing feature flags
[oauth] clearing token cache
The OAuth token is acquired successfully, but immediately cleared by a Growthbook feature flag refresh — causing a login loop. Claude never completes initialization.

Additional errors in unknown-window.log:

TypeError: Failed to fetch (https://claude.ai/...)
TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined
What I tried (none resolved the issue):

Removed stale MCP server config entries
Cleared LocalCache\Roaming\Claude (keeping claude_desktop_config.json)
Uninstalled and reinstalled via the Store
Created a directory junction to work around path issues with Japanese characters + parentheses in %USERPROFILE%
Notes:

The previous version (1.1.3189) worked fine on the same machine
The path C:\Users\[username with Japanese chars + parentheses]\AppData\... may interact with the MSIX LocalCache path resolution, though this appears secondary to the OAuth/Growthbook race condition
Looks like this is a different failure mode from the "Trusted app installs" error in the OP, but likely related to the same MSIX transition regression introduced around the Cowork release. Happy to provide full logs if helpful.

I’m seeing the same regression on our Windows 11 25H2 fleet. The 1.0.0.0 installer is indeed triggering the ‘Trusted App’ requirement because it's failing the MSIX trust chain validation in managed environments where sideloading is blocked via GPO/Intune.

For IT Admins who can't enable Developer Mode, a verified workaround to get the 1.0.0.0 build installed is to manually inject the Anthropic certificate into the Trusted People store via PowerShell as Admin:

PowerShell

# Extract and Trust the Certificate (Run as Admin)
$certPath = "C:\Path\To\ClaudeSetup.exe"
$cert = (Get-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath $certPath).SignerCertificate
$store = New-Object System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificates.X509Store("TrustedPeople", "LocalMachine")
$store.Open("ReadWrite")
$store.Add($cert)
$store.Close()

Once the cert is in TrustedPeople, the installer should bypass the 'Developer Mode' prompt.

I've documented a deeper roadmap for these enterprise-managed workarounds and governance frameworks in the repository and website link on my profile. Hopefully, we get an official signed MSI soon so we don't have to rely on manual cert injections.

Update (follow-up to my previous comment):

After further investigation, I found a second distinct failure mode affecting my machine — different from the OAuth token race condition I reported earlier.

New symptom: Claude exits immediately on launch, before creating any user data directory or log files. No WER crash reports, no Application event log errors — just a clean exit within seconds.

Root cause: Exit code -529697949 (0xE06D7363 = unhandled C++ exception in the Electron/native layer). The crash occurs before Electron initializes the userData path.

Trigger: My Windows username contains Japanese characters and parentheses: userName(include Japanese). The MSIX version's native path-handling code throws an unhandled C++ exception when attempting to create the user data directory under this path:

C:\Users\userName(include Japanese)\AppData\Local\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc\LocalCache\Roaming\Claude
Why it was intermittent: The crash only occurs when the data directory needs to be created for the first time. If the directory already exists (e.g., from a previous install), Claude launches successfully. After a reinstall/reset cycle that wipes the LocalCache, the directory creation fails and Claude never starts.

Confirmed workaround: Launch Claude.exe directly with --user-data-dir pointing to an ASCII-only path:

& "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.1.3363.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\Claude.exe" --user-data-dir=C:\ClaudeData
Claude starts and runs normally with this flag. This is a desktop shortcut workaround — not sustainable long-term since the path changes with each version update.

Environment: Windows 11 Pro 10.0.26200, v1.1.3363 (MSIX), enterprise-managed (Intune), Japanese locale with non-ASCII username containing parentheses.

This appears to be a separate bug from the Trusted App installation issue in the OP, but likely shares the same MSIX transition root. Happy to provide additional logs if helpful.

same exit issues as above no user data created,
windows 10 pro version 10.0.19045 build 19045
i have turned on trusted app and still having the same issues when trying to reinstall for cowork features.

I’m seeing the same regression on our Windows 11 25H2 fleet. The 1.0.0.0 installer is indeed triggering the ‘Trusted App’ requirement because it's failing the MSIX trust chain validation in managed environments where sideloading is blocked via GPO/Intune.

I've documented a deeper roadmap for these enterprise-managed workarounds and governance frameworks in the repository and website link on my profile. Hopefully, we get an official signed MSI soon so we don't have to rely on manual cert injections.

Thx here is what worked for me based on your tip. I need to enable dev mode, then disable.

### Claude Desktop Silent Installer
### Run as Administrator

$certPath = "C:\working1\Claude Setup.exe"
$appxKey = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModelUnlock"

### Step 1: Import cert
Write-Host "Importing certificate..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
$cert = (Get-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath $certPath).SignerCertificate
$store = New-Object System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificates.X509Store("TrustedPeople", "LocalMachine")
$store.Open("ReadWrite")
$store.Add($cert)
$store.Close()

### Step 2: Set registry keys
Write-Host "Setting registry keys..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Set-ItemProperty -Path $appxKey -Name "AllowAllTrustedApps" -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $appxKey -Name "AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense" -Value 1 -Type DWord

### Step 3: Install
Write-Host "Running installer..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Start-Process -FilePath $certPath -Wait

### Step 4: Revert - leave AllowAllTrustedApps=1, disable DevMode
Write-Host "Reverting registry..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Set-ItemProperty -Path $appxKey -Name "AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense" -Value 0 -Type DWord

### Step 5: Verify final state
Write-Host "`nFinal registry state:" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-ItemProperty $appxKey | Select-Object AllowAllTrustedApps, AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense

This is still happening with the latest Claude Setup download from https://claude.ai/downloads as of Mar. 2nd (Windows 11).

Also just had this today, March 2nd with Windows 11. An application like this should never need "developer" tools bypass to install and I also should not need to inject certificates to get it to function.

This is an echo of malware, not of an enterprise tool.

I'm seeing that error on Mac using the latest mac download

Same issue here. Windows 11. Source: https://claude.com/download?open_in_browser=1. I tried it multiple times across the day. The installer without "cowork" installed without any issues.

<img width="1478" height="469" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b68c2a2a-bd20-44ab-9d13-794c93b9e2a2" />

Funny story. The exe on their website downloads an MSIX package.

https://api.anthropic.com/api/desktop/win32/x64/msix/latest/redirect

I'm going to try and push via Intune now and see what happens

Updating via winget upgrade Anthropic.Claude also fails:

<img width="690" height="375" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fd5d09a5-990c-467c-bd38-5b04cef8b511" />

Yeah so intune was a bust but I was able to install the app without enabling developer mode by running the MSIX package.

It requested Admin permissions and installed with no problems

https://api.anthropic.com/api/desktop/win32/x64/msix/latest/redirect

@TechManManManManManManMan That worked perfectly!

@TechManManManManManManMan Thanks! Could you explain where to find the download link you posted please?

I found it in the output log that generated when I tried to install the exe.

Log file: C:\Users\USRNM~1\AppData\Local\Temp\ClaudeSetup.log

<img width="1651" height="589" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c6be26e9-93fd-4b28-a773-1180160de568" />

Thanks @TechManManManManManManMan, my log doesn't include this, it doesn't even start downloading or so:

...
2026/03/17 13:25:43.479106 Log file: C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\ClaudeSetup.log
2026/03/17 13:25:43.479627 === Claude Setup started ===
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481258 Windows edition: Professional
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Windows version: 10.0.26200
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Native arch: x64
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Elevation type: Full
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Is elevated: true
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Sideloading enabled: false
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 S Mode: false
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Conflicting service: false
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Running in non-elevated context
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 Prerequisite check failed: trusted app installs are not enabled
2026/03/17 13:25:43.481838 ERROR dialog: trusted app installs not enabled
2026/03/17 13:25:44.570069 Opening ms-settings:developers 

I guess im cool and lucky like that lol :)

It makes me wonder why Anthropic Didn't just link to the signed MSIX and/or publish it to the Microsoft Store instead of wrapping it in this faulty installer.

Is Anthropic deliberately discriminating against Windows users? I can't believe they can't fix this bug or don't even try to. The solution should be easy.

+1 on this. My Claude from https://claude.com/download?open_in_browser=1 install corectly,

But Cowork still says "Cowork requires a newer installation"...

<img width="587" height="127" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5825be28-748e-40c0-b037-6befbf41e738" />

Here's my install log:

2026/03/26 10:30:35.553994 Log file: C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\Temp\ClaudeSetup.log
2026/03/26 10:30:35.555147 === Claude Setup started ===
2026/03/26 10:30:35.555710 AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense found with value: 1
2026/03/26 10:30:35.555710 Windows edition: Enterprise
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Windows version: 10.0.26200
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Native arch: x64
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Elevation type: Full
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Is elevated: true
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Sideloading enabled: true
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 S Mode: false
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Conflicting service: false
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 Running in non-elevated context
2026/03/26 10:30:35.556824 User can elevate — installing MSIX directly
2026/03/26 10:30:35.577582 Splash: 400x300, 8 frame(s), animated=true
2026/03/26 10:30:35.578132 System DPI: 144 (scale: 150%)
2026/03/26 10:30:35.664028 MSIX URL: https://api.anthropic.com/api/desktop/win32/x64/msix/latest/redirect
2026/03/26 10:30:35.667275 Downloading MSIX to C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\Claude-278047894.msix
2026/03/26 10:30:36.218641 Download progress: 10% (17088384 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:36.675484 Download progress: 20% (34176768 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:36.856972 Download progress: 30% (51248768 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:37.164752 Download progress: 40% (68320192 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:37.372090 Download progress: 50% (85408576 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:37.599830 Download progress: 60% (102480576 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:37.929994 Download progress: 70% (119569520 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.125931 Download progress: 80% (136641520 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.309739 Download progress: 90% (153713520 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.510089 Download progress: 100% (170786079 / 170786079 bytes)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.589198 Download complete: 170786079 bytes, SHA256: cef016da0e09a41010471d8a5532f5824aa6b7f51bf80fddd5e4a441aedc2a18
2026/03/26 10:30:38.598753 Download complete
2026/03/26 10:30:38.636072 Self-elevating: c:\users\\downloads\claude setup.exe --elevated --msix-path "C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Claude-278047894.msix" --log-path "C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\ClaudeSetup.log"
2026/03/26 10:30:38.759520 Waiting for elevated process to complete...
2026/03/26 10:30:38.804729 Log file: C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\ClaudeSetup.log
2026/03/26 10:30:38.805806 === Claude Setup started ===
2026/03/26 10:30:38.806364 AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense found with value: 1
2026/03/26 10:30:38.806364 Windows edition: Enterprise
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Windows version: 10.0.26200
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Native arch: x64
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Elevation type: Full
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Is elevated: true
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Sideloading enabled: true
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 S Mode: false
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Conflicting service: false
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Running in elevated context
2026/03/26 10:30:38.807461 Installing MSIX from C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\Claude-278047894.msix (all-users: false)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.832452 Splash: 400x300, 8 frame(s), animated=true
2026/03/26 10:30:38.832452 System DPI: 144 (scale: 150%)
2026/03/26 10:30:38.937910 Verifying Authenticode signature on C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\Claude-278047894.msix
2026/03/26 10:30:39.299275 WinVerifyTrust: MSIX signature is valid
2026/03/26 10:30:39.411746 Signature verified: MSIX signer matches bootstrapper
2026/03/26 10:30:39.411746 Squirrel process prefix: c:\users\*\appdata\local\anthropicclaude\
2026/03/26 10:30:39.411746 Checking for running Squirrel Claude processes...
2026/03/26 10:30:39.422539 No Squirrel Claude processes found
2026/03/26 10:30:39.422539 Checking for existing Claude MSIX packages...
2026/03/26 10:30:39.438920 Removing (user): Claude_1.1.8629.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc
2026/03/26 10:30:39.451425 WARNING: Remove failed for Claude_1.1.8629.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc: RemovePackage failed with HRESULT 0x80073CFA
2026/03/26 10:30:39.451425 Installing MSIX: C:\Users\***\AppData\Local\Temp\Claude-278047894.msix
2026/03/26 10:30:39.452503 Extracted family name from MSIX manifest: Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc
2026/03/26 10:30:39.452503 Standard install (not split-account), using AddPackage
2026/03/26 10:30:39.452503 Installing via AddPackage (current-user)...
2026/03/26 10:30:40.705693 MSIX package installed successfully
2026/03/26 10:30:40.705693 No Squirrel installation found, skipping uninstall
2026/03/26 10:30:40.768365 MSIX installation succeeded
2026/03/26 10:30:42.771569 Launching Claude...
2026/03/26 10:30:42.772436 Launching Claude via explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc!Claude
2026/03/26 10:30:50.706378 === Claude Setup completed successfully ===
2026/03/26 10:30:50.750438 Elevated process exited with code 0

I had to uninstall all the things, and then the MSIX worked for me. Really concerning that this is still broken in the default downloader, and that it cant "upgrade through" the issues with a past update breaking the windows desktop version so it wouldn't open anymore.

https://downloads.claude.ai/releases/win32/x64/1.2773.0/Claude-884b3735b1ce5042a0c286824c6f9bd2d341f7c8.msix

Still experiencing this issue. Unable to install claude code on windows because it requires developer access.

Still experiencing this issue. Unable to install claude code on windows because it requires developer access.

Nearly a month later and this is still happening. I cannot install Claude Desktop (downloaded from https://claude.com/product/cowork) without developer mode.

<img width="414" height="246" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c55d7db5-0eaf-45f8-85e6-792782ffb777" />

Still can't install Claude desktop due to this issue. Where is a fix for this?

It's been nearly five months and one of the world's most valuable companies can't even figure out how to install their mass market app properly. Anthropic claims to be safety-first, but then asks their users to put their system into developer mode and allow sideloading. Other than the web interface, this is literally the first interaction your users have with your products. I'd only expect this kind of experience from common scammers.