[BUG] /desktop command fails with Microsoft Store version of Claude Desktop on Windows

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?

The /desktop command fails to detect and launch Claude Desktop when it's installed via the Microsoft Store (MSIX/AppX package), which is now the default installation method on Windows.

The /desktop command detects Claude Desktop by checking the Windows registry at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\claude, then expects the executable at the Squirrel-based standalone installer path:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\AnthropicClaude\app-X.X.X\claude.exe

The Microsoft Store version installs to a different location:

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_X.X.X_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\claude.exe

Since Anthropic now distributes the Store version as the default Windows installer, /desktop is broken for new Windows installations.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop opens and the session transfers.

Error Messages/Logs

Actual Behavior

  Failed to open Claude Desktop. Please try opening it manually.

Or, if the registry key from a previous standalone install is missing:

  Starting download. Re-run /desktop once you've installed the app.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Desktop on Windows from https://claude.ai/download (installs the Microsoft Store version)
2. Run /desktop in Claude Code CLI

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.79

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

Environment

• Windows 11 Enterprise 10.0.22631
• Claude Code CLI (latest)
• Claude Desktop: Store package Claude_1.1.7464.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc