[BUG] Claude Desktop cannot install on Windows - redirects to Microsoft Store during installation

[SokillT]

Preflight Checklist

• I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

What's Wrong?

Claude Desktop installation fails on Windows. During installation, a popup appears saying
"Get an app to open this 'claude' link - Your PC doesn't have an app that can open this link.
Try looking for a compatible app in the Microsoft Store."
The popup disappears on its own and the installation does not complete successfully.
Claude Desktop does not appear in the Start menu after installation.

What Should Happen?

Troubleshooting Already Attempted

• Removed existing Claude packages via PowerShell:
  Get-AppxPackage -Name "Claude" -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers
• Enabled Developer Mode in Settings → System → For Developers
• Changed "Choose where to get apps" to "Anywhere" in Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings
• Tried installing without admin rights (double-click only)
• Tried installing with Run as administrator
• Restarted PC between attempts
• Re-downloaded fresh installer each time
• None of the above resolved the issue

Expected Behavior

Claude Desktop should install successfully and appear in the Start menu.

Actual Behavior

Installation fails silently. Popup redirects to Microsoft Store where Claude Desktop cannot be found.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

1. Download Claude Desktop installer from claude.ai/download
2. Run installer (tried both normal and Run as administrator)
3. Popup "Get an app to open this 'claude' link" appears during installation
4. Popup disappears on its own
5. Claude Desktop not found in Start menu — installation failed

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

Downloaded from claude.ai/download on 26 Feb 2026

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

No response

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [BUG] Unable to reinstall Claude. #28217
2. [BUG] Claude Desktop arm64 installer silently fails on Surface Pro 11 (Snapdragon X, Windows 11 Build 26200) — no log written, no error dialog #28779
3. [BUG] Claude Desktop installation fails on Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200) - "couldn't install please check for software updates" #25829

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[zmlade]

The same problem her - when installing coworker feature I've got a the same popup as above nad installation fails.

Windows 11, latest Cloud version.

[andy-smith-hat]

Same here, the old app stopped working so uninstalled and tried to re-install and get the same issue

[ygor-almeida-armac]

I have the same problem here

[mystcreater]

Same problem. How could a so popular application be so fragile. :(

[kautto]

Same issue. Tried the above approach of enabling HyperV and running as admin, didn't fix it. No files are getting created anywhere either, so the install seems to do nothing, then fails when trying to open the (non-existent) claude link.

[nsa-brandon]

Seems like the waiting game is the best choice.

[Rebecca-Casselman]

Same problem. Windows 11 Pro, Hyper-V installed, getting the error that it can't find the file.

[projectsmith2913]

Same issue.

[MGABooks]

Same here - Windows 11 Pro, HyperV installed.

[richard-xts]

Same problem. Windows 11 Pro, Hyper-V installed, cant find file and suggests download from store

[davorrandjelovic]

Same issue here, kinda ridiculous that a company with currently infinite resources is making such big mistakes...