Claude Desktop (Windows): provide a way to disable the bundled Cowork background service (CoworkVMService) for users who don't use Cowork
### Preflight Checklist - [x] I have searched [existing requests](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20label%3Aenhancement) and this feature hasn't been requested yet - [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features) ### Problem Statement On Windows, Claude Desktop bundles a packaged Win32 service called `CoworkVMService` (running `app\resources\cowork-svc.exe` as `localSystem`) inside its MSIX package. The service is registered with `StartupType="auto"` and starts on every system boot — even when the user has never opened Cowork or has decided not to use it. I'm primarily a Claude Code user. I tried Cowork once early on, decided Claude Code suits my workflow better, and haven't used Cowork since. But `cowork-svc.exe` still spins up on every boot, takes RAM, and there is no way to turn it off: - **No in-app toggle** in Claude Desktop to disable Cowork or its background service. - **Standard Windows methods are blocked** because it's an MSIX-packaged service: - `sc.exe config CoworkVMService start= disabled` returns `OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied`, even from an elevated Administrator PowerShell. - `Set-Service -StartupType Disabled` has the same problem. - **The package manifest hardcodes** `<desktop6:Service Name="CoworkVMService" StartupType="auto" StartAccount="localSystem">`, so even a clean reinstall would re-register it identically. Uninstalling Claude Desktop is not an option for me — I use it daily. - **The only
Posted by itutar on May 8, 2026, 6:24 PM
Tags
Related issues
- 2026 - Microsoft Office 365
- [Ubuntu] `ubuntu-latest` label will use Ubuntu 26.04 in November 2026
- Gamut mapping
- [Codex Desktop] Editing and resending a queued message triggers "App-server queued follow-up no longer exists"
- [Windows] ChatGPT 26.820.60940 fails with "invalid transport in mcp_servers.codex_app"; Beta 26.727.40816 works
- [BUG]: infinite loading of videos
Raise real-world problems, find people facing the same issue, and discuss solutions.2,000 issues0 comments
github (SaaS)
2026 - Microsoft Office 365
[Ubuntu] `ubuntu-latest` label will use Ubuntu 26.04 in November 2026
Gamut mapping
[Codex Desktop] Editing and resending a queued message triggers "App-server queued follow-up no longer exists"
[Windows] ChatGPT 26.820.60940 fails with "invalid transport in mcp_servers.codex_app"; Beta 26.727.40816 works
[BUG]: infinite loading of videos
Restore GPT-5.6 Sol’s 372k Codex context window, or provide an opt-in setting
Codex Desktop for macOS repeatedly triggers `syspolicyd` / `trustd` CPU and memory runaway
Claude Desktop (Windows): provide a way to disable the bundled Cowork background service (CoworkVMService) for users who don't use Cowork
### Preflight Checklist - [x] I have searched [existing requests](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20label%3Aenhancement) and this feature hasn't been requested yet - [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features) ### Problem Statement On Windows, Claude Desktop bundles a packaged Win32 service called `CoworkVMService` (running `app\resources\cowork-svc.exe` as `localSystem`) inside its MSIX package. The service is registered with `StartupType="auto"` and starts on every system boot — even when the user has never opened Cowork or has decided not to use it. I'm primarily a Claude Code user. I tried Cowork once early on, decided Claude Code suits my workflow better, and haven't used Cowork since. But `cowork-svc.exe` still spins up on every boot, takes RAM, and there is no way to turn it off: - **No in-app toggle** in Claude Desktop to disable Cowork or its background service. - **Standard Windows methods are blocked** because it's an MSIX-packaged service: - `sc.exe config CoworkVMService start= disabled` returns `OpenService FAILED 5: Access is denied`, even from an elevated Administrator PowerShell. - `Set-Service -StartupType Disabled` has the same problem. - **The package manifest hardcodes** `<desktop6:Service Name="CoworkVMService" StartupType="auto" StartAccount="localSystem">`, so even a clean reinstall would re-register it identically. Uninstalling Claude Desktop is not an option for me — I use it daily. - **The only
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Start the discussion.