[BUG] Claude Desktop: "failed to launch" error on startup (no window renders, clean install, Windows 11)

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 Desktop fails to start on my system.
Upon launch, the generic dialog "Claude Desktop failed to Launch. We are so sorry, Claude Desktop failed to launch. Please check for updates and try again. If the issue persists, contact support." appears immediately. No window renders.
The issue persists even after a complete cleanup (app, data, config, services) and fresh reinstall.

Environment

• OS: Windows 11 (Version/Build from winver: 25H2 Build 26100.8037)
• Language/Region: German (Germany)
• Claude Desktop Version(s):
• Installed MSIX/Store build: 1.1.6679.0 (from C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.1.6679.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc)
• Local Desktop folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%\AnthropicClaude\app-1.1.4173
• Hardware: [AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Eight-Core Processor, 16 GB RAM, Asus Strix GTX 970]

What Should Happen?

• Claude Desktop should open a window and start normally after installation.
• In case of errors, more specific logs or error messages beyond the generic "failed to launch" should appear.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to reproduce

1. Complete cleanup (see attached logs for proof)
2. Fresh install from https://claude.ai/download
3. Launch from Start menu → immediate crash

Logs attached: cowork-service.log, chrome-native-host-2.log
Cowork service healthy but app never connects [file:79][file:80].

Matches issues #28304, #28470, #28892 [web:11][web:75][web:13].

cowork-service.log
chrome-native-host.log

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

-

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_