[BUG] Claude Desktop silently disappears after UAC prompt on Windows 11

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 app silently disappears after clicking "Yes" on UAC prompt. The installer completes successfully but the app never launches.

OS: Windows 11
Install method: claude.ai/download and winget --force
Claude version: 1.6608.1

Already tried:

• Removed all Claude data via PowerShell
• Developer mode ON
• Run as administrator
• Reinstalled multiple times
• Event Viewer shows only unrelated Certificate Services errors

Support chat Conversation ID: 215474256366966

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop app should launch normally after installation.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Download Claude Setup.exe from claude.ai/download
2. Run the installer
3. Click "Yes" on UAC prompt
4. Installer disappears silently - app never launches

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.6608.1

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

Pro plan user. App won't launch at all - disappears after UAC prompt. Support chat Conversation ID: 215474256366966