[BUG] Windows Workspace VM fails with EXDEV (rootfs.vhdx cannot be moved)
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?
Title:
Windows Workspace VM fails with EXDEV (rootfs.vhdx cannot be moved)
Description:
Claude Desktop installs successfully and normal chat works.
However, Workspace fails to start with the following error:
EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename
'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Local\Temp\wvm-XXXX\rootfs.vhdx'
-> 'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
Observed behavior:
- rootfs.vhdx downloads successfully
- checksum validates
- failure occurs during rename step
- VM bundle never completes
- Workspace cannot start
Environment:
- Windows 10/11
- Claude Desktop version: (fill your version)
- Installed via MSIX (Microsoft Store / WindowsApps)
What I already tried:
- Full uninstall + reinstall
- Removed AppData folders
- Verified TEMP, TMP, APPDATA on same drive
- Rebooted multiple times
Notes:
This appears to be caused by MSIX filesystem virtualization (Temp vs Roaming boundary), causing rename() to fail with EXDEV.
Expected:
Fallback to copy+delete instead of rename across filesystem boundaries.
Impact:
Workspace/Cowork completely unusable on Windows.
What Should Happen?
after install & going to claude cowork i get the error msg Failed to start Claude's workspace
EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Local\Temp\wvm-ldaqo8\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
Restarting Claude or your computer sometimes resolves this. If it persists, you can reinstall the workspace.
iso just working
Error Messages/Logs
Failed to start Claude's workspace
EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Local\Temp\wvm-ldaqo8\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\jansy\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
Restarting Claude or your computer sometimes resolves this. If it persists, you can reinstall the workspace.
Steps to Reproduce
1) clean install from claude.ai install for windows as admin
2) startup claude
3) go to claude cowork
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
I don't know
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
latest claude windows app downloaded from your website
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
Other
Additional Information
_No response_
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