[BUG] EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted

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?

Failed to start Claude's workspace
EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\.wvm-tmp-AjmY0E\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\x\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.

When trying to create or use claude cowork. Typically runs for around 2-10 minutes or so and throws this error

EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\<User_Name>\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\.wvm-tmp-CnzkOL\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\<User_Name>\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
Restarting Claude or your computer sometimes resolves this. If it persists, you can

I've restarted, updated windows, downloaded WLS, enabled debugging, updated, reinstalled, attempting running cowork in different files, ran claude as administrator . The file path does not exist. Claude file does not exist in Roaming. Created file. Enabled virtualization in BIOS. updated, re-installed. Updated BIOS. Same issue. Any ideas?
https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1r8qpip/exdev_crossdevice_link_not_permitted_rename/ - no fix
https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/25911 - no corp enviro, this is local
https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/25476 - this is all in same C: drive, no claude on microsoft store
https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/30584 - no hyperv

Version 1.1617.0 (8d6345) -> Claude 1.2773.0 (884b37) -> Version 1.3036.0 (cf521c)

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 25H2
OS build 26200.8117
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.297.0

2026-04-16 14:15:13 [error] [VM:start] Startup failed: Error: EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
at async Object.rename (node:internal/fs/promises:782:10)
at async kDn (D:\WindowsApps\Claude_1.3036.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\resources\app.asar\.vite\build\index.js:1855:10977) {
[stack]: [Getter/Setter],
[message]: "EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\rootfs.vhdx'",
errno: -4037,
code: 'EXDEV',
syscall: 'rename',
path: 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\\rootfs.vhdx',
dest: 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\rootfs.vhdx'

What Should Happen?

Never worked before. But I imagine create a skill and setup the workspace. Has never done so

Error Messages/Logs

2026-04-16 14:15:13 [error] [VM:start] Startup failed: Error: EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\rootfs.vhdx'
    at async Object.rename (node:internal/fs/promises:782:10)
    at async kDn (D:\WindowsApps\Claude_1.3036.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\resources\app.asar\.vite\build\index.js:1855:10977) {
  [stack]: [Getter/Setter],
  [message]: "EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\rootfs.vhdx'",
  errno: -4037,
  code: 'EXDEV',
  syscall: 'rename',
  path: 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\.wvm-tmp-BhbPKH\\rootfs.vhdx',
  dest: 'C:\\Users\\x\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\vm_bundles\\claudevm.bundle\\rootfs.vhdx'
  
Failed to start Claude's workspace
EXDEV: cross-device link not permitted, rename 'C:\Users\x\AppData\Roaming\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\.wvm-tmp-AjmY0E\rootfs.vhdx' -> 'C:\Users\x\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. Install Claude, have pro account
2. Attempt to use cowork

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Version 1.3036.0 (cf521c)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_