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claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] Windows: "File in use by another program" error when relaunching Claude after killing process

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Error Message

After force terminating the Claude desktop application process (via Task Manager/PowerShell) on Windows, attempting to reopen the application consistently triggers a pop-up error message: "Another program is using this file" (target file path: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.8089.1.0_x64).

Error Messages/Logs

  1. Attempt to relaunch Claude → "File in use" error pops up
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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?

After force terminating the Claude desktop application process (via Task Manager/PowerShell) on Windows, attempting to reopen the application consistently triggers a pop-up error message: "Another program is using this file" (target file path: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.8089.1.0_x64).

Even after confirming no Claude-related processes are visible in the Task Manager, the file lock persists and the application fails to launch normally. I have tried killing all related processes (claude.exe, ClaudeDesktop.exe, node.exe, CoworkVMService.exe) via admin terminal, but the issue still occurs.

What Should Happen?

What Should Happen?

After terminating the Claude process and reopening the application, the app should release all file locks properly and launch normally without "file in use" errors. Any residual file locks should be cleared when the main process is terminated.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Environment

  • OS: Windows 11
  • Claude Version: 1.8089.1.0
  • Steps to Reproduce:
    1. Launch Claude desktop app on Windows
    2. Force kill Claude process via Task Manager/PowerShell (taskkill /f /im claude.exe /t)
    3. Attempt to relaunch Claude → "File in use" error pops up

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

Version 1.8089.1 (b98a06)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

No response

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claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] Windows: "File in use by another program" error when relaunching Claude after killing process