[BUG] Cowork VM connection timeout on Microsoft Surface Laptop Snapdragon ARM64

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?

Device: Microsoft Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X / X Plus
OS: Windows 11 ARM64
Claude Desktop version:
Architecture: arm64 / aarch64

What's wrong?

Cowork workspace fails to start with "VM connection timeout after 60 seconds"
on every single attempt. 100% reproduction rate.

Steps to reproduce

1. Open Claude Desktop on Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon ARM64)
2. Try to use workspace / Cowork features
3. Wait 60 seconds
4. Error: "Failed to start Claude's workspace / VM connection timeout after 60 seconds"

What I've tried

• Restarted Claude Desktop multiple times
• Restarted the computer
• Used "Reinstall the workspace" option
• Contacted support — no resolution received
• Researched independently and identified Snapdragon ARM64

as the likely cause

Expected behavior

Workspace should start successfully and allow file processing.

Additional context

Multiple Surface devices with Snapdragon are affected.
Related issues: #46516, #46033, #39636, #40198, #50674

What Should Happen?

The Cowork workspace should start successfully on Microsoft Surface Laptop
with Snapdragon ARM64. The VM should boot within the 60-second timeout
and allow normal use of workspace features including file processing.

Error Messages/Logs

Error: "Failed to start Claude's workspace"
VM connection timeout after 60 seconds

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Desktop on Microsoft Surface Laptop (Snapdragon ARM64)
2. Upload two Excel (.xlsx) files to the chat
3. Ask Claude to compare both files and generate a new Excel file

based on the comparison

1. Claude attempts to start the workspace/bash environment
2. After 60 seconds the error appears:

"Failed to start Claude's workspace / VM connection timeout after 60 seconds"

1. In the chat, Claude responds:

"The bash environment is not available right now"

Note: The issue is 100% reproducible on every attempt.
The device is a Microsoft Surface Laptop with Snapdragon ARM64 processor.

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Code version 2.1.170.

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

_No response_