[BUG] Claude Code (Desktop) fails to launch on Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8037)

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 shows "Claude Desktop failed to launch. Please check for updates and try again." immediately after installation. No window ever renders.

The installer registers an AppX package (Claude 1.1617.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc) but writes no files to disk. Both %LocalAppData%\AnthropicClaude and %LocalAppData%\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc are missing after installation.

Removing the package via PowerShell (Get-AppxPackage Claude | Remove-AppxPackage) and reinstalling produces the same ghost package and the same error every time.

<img width="415" height="122" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/60a0c93d-1767-4837-97fe-861814af1561" />

<img width="393" height="54" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3f80691b-50bf-4c6e-90fe-e82fa8131df8" />

<img width="339" height="308" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ae8f04ca-6e86-4a70-87cd-ff2e19dd5ed3" />

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should launch and display the main window after installation.

Error Messages/Logs

Dialog shown on launch: "Claude Desktop failed to launch. Please check for updates and try again. If the issue persists, contact support at support.claude.com."

PowerShell output after install:
Name   Version      PackageFullName
----   -------      ---------------
Claude 1.1617.0.0   Claude_1.1617.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc

No files present at %LocalAppData%\AnthropicClaude or %LocalAppData%\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc

Steps to Reproduce

1. Enable Developer Mode (Settings > System > For developers)
2. Set app install source to "Anywhere" (Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings)
3. Download Claude Desktop installer from claude.com/download (Windows x64)
4. Run the installer — completes without error
5. Launch Claude Desktop
6. "Claude Desktop failed to launch" dialog appears immediately
7. Run in PowerShell: Get-AppxPackage Claude | Select Name, Version, PackageFullName
8. Ghost package Claude 1.1617.0.0 appears, but no files exist on disk
9. Run: Get-AppxPackage Claude | Remove-AppxPackage, then reinstall — same result every time

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

this is a Desktop app issue, not Claude Code CLI

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

This appears to affect multiple users on Build 26200 based on existing issues #25829 and #34491. The ghost package re-registers on every reinstall, suggesting the installer is partially succeeding but failing silently at a later stage. Developer Mode is enabled and app install source is set to Anywhere — standard fixes have not resolved the issue.
Note: OneDrive was uninstalled during initial system setup and some system files were modified at that time. This may have affected MSIX/AppX installation infrastructure.