[BUG] Claude Desktop force closes on launch – VM bundle files (rootfs.vhdx, vmlinuz, initrd) never downloaded on Windows 11 Home

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?

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 Desktop

What's Wrong?

Claude Desktop force closes immediately after launch with no visible error message. The app briefly connects to the Cowork service then disconnects, and the VM bundle files are never downloaded.

Environment

• OS: Windows 11 Home, Build 10.0.26200, x64
• Claude Desktop version: Claude_1.12603.1.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc
• Previous working version: Claude_1.11187.1.0 (last worked ~June 10, 2026)
• Hyper-V: Enabled (manually via DISM workaround for Windows 11 Home)

Log Evidence

cowork_vm_node.log — every launch attempt:

cowork_vm_node.log

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

Claude Desktop launches normally and VM bundle files are downloaded to:
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Packages\Claude_pzs8sxrjxfjjc\LocalCache\Local\Claude\vm_bundles\claudevm.bundle\

Actual Behavior

The vm_bundles directory is never created. The following files are permanently missing:

• rootfs.vhdx
• vmlinuz
• initrd

Claude detects the missing files, then crashes silently.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Desktop (latest version) on Windows 11 Home
2. Launch Claude Desktop
3. App briefly appears to load (connects to CoworkVMService, loads account/skills), then force closes
4. No error dialog shown

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

Claude_1.11187.1.0

Claude Code Version

Claude_1.12603.1.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_