[BUG] Claude Code Desktop fails with "Failed to load session" due to VC++ Redistributable missing

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Claude Code installers fine and runs from terminal. When starting a Code session in Claude Desktop however, the prompt can be entered and submitted, but the program silently stops working on it. Clicking "Preview" shows "Failed to load session".

What Should Happen?

Code should start working and respond as normal

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run Windows 11 without VC++ redistributable, such as a fresh install
2. Open Claude Desktop
3. Click "Code"
4. Submit a prompt
5. Code silently fails to start, and does not guide the user to install VC++ redistributable

Claude-logs-2026-03-14T06-18-29-969Z.zip

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_