[BUG] Windows Desktop App: MSIX stuck in "Servicing" status, CoworkVMService blocks reinstall (HRESULT 0x80073D28 / 0x80073CFA)

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?

Environment

• OS: Windows 11 Professional, Build 10.0.26200 (25H2), x64
• Claude Desktop version: Claude_1.3109.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc (MSIX)
• Date issue started: 2026-04-20

Problem
Claude Desktop stopped launching entirely on 2026-04-20. No window appears, no error message, no Claude process visible in Task Manager.

Diagnosis
The MSIX package is permanently stuck in "Servicing" / "Staged" status and cannot be removed or updated. The Setup log reveals two root causes:

1. CoworkVMService cannot be removed — "Access is denied" even when running as Administrator. sc.exe delete CoworkVMService fails with OpenService ERROR 5.
2. Existing MSIX package cannot be unregistered — RemovePackage fails with HRESULT 0x80073CFA, which in turn causes the reinstall to fail with HRESULT 0x80073D28.

All troubleshooting steps attempted (none successful)

• Killed all Claude processes via Task Manager
• Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *claude* | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers → no error output, but package remains
• Remove-AppxPackage -Package "Claude_1.3109.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc" -AllUsers → silent, package remains
• sc.exe stop CoworkVMService → service was not running
• sc.exe delete CoworkVMService → Access denied (even as Admin)
• Deleted CoworkVMService registry key via Remove-Item HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\CoworkVMService
• Stop-Service AppXSvc -Force + Start-Service AppXSvc
• wsreset.exe
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Add-AppxPackage -Register "...\AppxManifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode → fails with 0x80073D28
• takeown + icacls + Remove-Item on the WindowsApps folder → access denied
• Full system reboot (multiple times)

Current state
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *claude* still shows the package with Status: Servicing and PackageUserInformation: {S-1-5-18 [S-1-5-18]: Staged}. The system is in a deadlock: reinstall fails because the old package exists, the old package cannot be removed because of the Servicing status, and the Servicing status cannot be reset.

Setup log excerpt (key lines)

WARNING: CoworkVMService already exists (potential conflict)
Removing conflicting CoworkVMService...
WARNING: failed to remove conflicting service: could not open CoworkVMService: Access is denied.
Removing (user): Claude_1.3109.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc
WARNING: Remove failed for Claude_1.3109.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc: RemovePackage failed with HRESULT 0x80073CFA
MSIX installation failed: AddPackage failed with HRESULT 0x80073D28

Full log attached.

Request
Please provide a recovery tool or manual procedure to resolve the Servicing deadlock, and consider offering a traditional EXE-based installer as an alternative to MSIX to avoid these kinds of unresolvable packaging conflicts.

ClaudeSetup.log

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should launch normally, or the installer should be able to cleanly remove and reinstall the MSIX package without getting stuck in a "Servicing" deadlock.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Desktop on Windows 11 via the official installer from claude.ai/download
2. Let the app run and update automatically
3. At some point the app stops launching (no window, no process visible in Task Manager)
4. Try to reinstall via the official installer → fails with HRESULT 0x80073D28
5. Check installed packages: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers claude → package shows Status: Servicing / Staged
6. All removal attempts fail: Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers, sc.exe delete CoworkVMService, wsreset, DISM, takeown/icacls — none work
7. System is in a permanent deadlock: old package cannot be removed, new package cannot be installed

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.3109.0.0 (Desktop App / MSIX)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_