[BUG] Claude Desktop "failed to launch" on Windows 11 — persistent issue after clean reinstall

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 fails to launch every time with the error "Claude Desktop failed to launch. Please check for updates and try again." on Windows 11.
Troubleshooting done:

Clean uninstall and reinstall multiple times
Deleted AppData\Roaming\Claude and Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc folders
Ended all Claude processes in Task Manager
Event Viewer shows no errors
CoworkVMService runs normally, cowork-service.log shows VM starts successfully
Reinstalled with latest .exe from claude.ai/download

Nothing worked. Claude works fine on browser at claude.ai.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should open normally and show the main interface.

Error Messages/Logs

Error message: "Claude Desktop failed to launch. Please check for updates and try again."
Event Viewer shows no errors. cowork-service.log shows VM starts successfully.

Steps to Reproduce

Install Claude Desktop from claude.ai/download
Double-click to open Claude Desktop
Error "Claude Desktop failed to launch" appears immediately

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

unknown - Claude Desktop app

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

Claude Desktop app fails to launch. Not a Claude Code issue. VM service runs fine. Event Viewer shows no errors.