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[BUG] MSIX AddPackage hangs/times out on Windows 11 Build 26200.8039 — was working on same build days earlier #37443
Description
Activity
INCIDENT BRIEF
Claude Desktop — Failed Update / Lost Productivity
Date: March 24, 2026 | Filed by: Mark Wasmuth, CEO — Smart Brands Inc.Incident Summary
Field Detail
Incident Type Software Update Failure — Claude Desktop (Windows)
Error Code0x80073D05— MSIX internal error / package registration failure
Platform Windows 11 — Claude Desktop App (Anthropic)
Date/Time March 23–24, 2026
Duration 20+ hours of lost/disrupted productivity
Severity HIGH — Primary AI workstation tool rendered non-functional
Root Cause Windows update build 26200.8039 broke MSIX package installation (confirmed Anthropic bug — GitHub Issue #37443)
Status WORKAROUND AVAILABLE — Full fix pending Anthropic patchTimeline of Events
Day 1: Claude Desktop update initiated — app failed to open post-update
Day 1–2: Spent hours attempting PowerShell-based fix (Get-AppxPackage/Remove-AppxPackage) — Access Denied errors throughout
Day 2: Escalated to manual MSIX removal, DISM commands, TrustedInstaller elevation attempts
Day 2: Discovered root cause — confirmed Windows build 26200.8039 broke MSIX install for all affected users (Anthropic GitHub Issue #37443)
Day 2: Workaround identified — extract MSIX as ZIP, runclaude.exedirectly
Day 2: Usage limits exhausted mid-troubleshooting — compounding lossBusiness Impact
20+ hours of CEO time lost to a platform-level bug
Active work on SnapToSell (April 2026 launch), The Enemy Within (July 4 launch), and Scripture Unlocked disrupted
Claude Desktop weekly usage limit consumed resolving Anthropic's broken update — not productive work
Platform reliability confidence reduced — tooling instability creates execution risk across all three Tier 1 venturesWorkaround (Active Until Patch)
Per confirmed fix on GitHub Issue #37443:
Rename the Claude Desktop installer.exeor.msixfile to.zip
Extract the archive
Runclaude.exedirectly from the extracted folderNote: Cowork feature unavailable via this method — requires proper MSIX registration.
Resolution Request — Filed with Anthropic
Bug reported: github.com//issues/37443
Request 1: Restore usage limit credits consumed during Anthropic-caused incident
Request 2: Issue a hotfix or updated MSIX installer that bypasses the Windows build 26200.8039 conflict
Request 3: Proactive communication to affected users — this impacts ALL Windows 11 users on this buildNext Steps
[ ] Monitor GitHub issue #37443 for Anthropic patch release
[ ] Use claude.ai web interface as backup during outage
[ ] Submit feedback via thumbs-down in interface to flag usage limit impact
[ ] Resume Tier 1 venture work — SnapToSell sprint, Enemy Within pre-launch, Scripture Unlocked content"You're either focused on your destiny or feeding your distractions."
— Mark WasmuthIt's like code indesktop doesn't know what he's doing anymore.
Keep running into this as well.
Hey i just did a workaround and it worked, hope it helps: #49917 (comment)
Closing for now — inactive for too long. Please open a new issue if this is still relevant.
This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.
- locked as resolved and limited conversation to collaborators
on Jul 20, 2026
Preflight Checklist
What's Wrong?
Title: [BUG] MSIX AddPackage hangs/times out on Windows 11 Build 26200.8039 — was working on same build (.7714) days earlier
Preflight Checklist
What's Wrong?
MSIX AddPackage consistently times out (5+ minutes) on Windows 11 Home 25H2 Build 26200.8039. The same machine successfully installed Claude Desktop via MSIX on the same base build (26200) just 9 days earlier with no issues.
Key Evidence from ClaudeSetup.log
Working (March 13, 2026 — Build 26200):
→ 7 seconds to complete.
Working (March 13, 2026 — second install with CoworkVMService conflict):
→ 31 seconds to complete.
Working (March 16, 2026):
→ 32 seconds to complete.
Working (March 22, 2026 14:55 — before Windows Update applied):
→ 0.5 seconds to complete.
Working (March 22, 2026 15:15):
→ 0.5 seconds to complete.
BROKEN (March 22, 2026 16:01+ — after Windows Update to .8039):
Every subsequent attempt on .8039 also fails with timeout or 0x80073CF8.
What was tried (all failed on .8039)
Add-AppxPackagewith-ForceApplicationShutdown -ForceUpdateFromAnyVersionAdd-AppxPackageafter enabling Developer ModeDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth(completed successfully, found/repaired corrupt files)sfc /scannow(found and repaired corrupt files)wsreset.exeGet-AppxPackage *claude*returns nothing)AppX Event Log Details
Package folder was being moved to
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Deleted\during failed attempts.Workaround Found
Manually extracting the MSIX as a ZIP and running
claude.exedirectly works for basic Chat/Code functionality, but Cowork is not available without proper MSIX registration.Environment
Expected Behavior
MSIX AddPackage should complete within seconds (as it did on the same base build before the .8039 update).
Actual Behavior
AddPackage hangs indefinitely (30+ minutes with manual
Add-AppxPackage) or times out after the 5-minute limit in ClaudeSetup.exe.Suggestion
Consider increasing the AddPackage timeout or implementing a retry mechanism. The 5-minute hard timeout may be too aggressive for some Windows configurations. Additionally, a fallback installation mode that doesn't require MSIX registration (similar to the manual extraction workaround) would help users on affected Windows builds retain access to Cowork.
Related Issues
What Should Happen?
MSIX AddPackage should complete within seconds, as it did on the same build before the .8039 update (0.5-31 seconds in logs). Claude Desktop with Cowork should install and function normally.
Error Messages/Logs
2026/03/22 17:50:28.499637 MSIX installation failed: AddPackage failed: AddPackage timed out after 5 minutes ERROR dialog: Installation failed: AddPackage failed: AddPackage timed out after 5 minutes AppX Event Log errors: 0x80073CF6 (package registration failed), 0x80073D05 (internal error), 0x80073CF8 (install request cancelled by user) Previously working: 2026/03/22 15:15 installed in 0.5 seconds on same build before Windows Update to .8039Steps to Reproduce
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
Yes, this worked in a previous version
Last Working Version
1.1.7714.0
Claude Code Version
N/A - this is a Claude Desktop MSIX installation issue, not Claude Code
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
Terminal.app (macOS)
Additional Information
No response