[BUG] Claude Code Auto-Updater Not Replacing Active Executable on Windows

[asfar-decmil]

Environment

• Platform (select one):
  • Anthropic API
  • AWS Bedrock
  • Google Vertex AI
  • Other: Claude Code
• Claude CLI version: 1.0.67
• Operating System: Windows 11
• Terminal: Windows Powershell

Bug Description

Environment

• OS: Windows (PowerShell)
• Claude Code Version: 1.0.67 (attempting to update to 1.0.83)
• Installation Type: Native Windows installation with auto-updates enabled

Issue Description

The claude update command reports successful updates but the active executable is not replaced, causing the old version to continue running.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run claude update
2. Receive message: Successfully updated from 1.0.67 to version 1.0.83
3. Run claude --version or /status within Claude
4. Version still shows as 1.0.67

Investigation Findings

• Active executable location: C:\Users\[username]\.local\bin\claude.exe (remains at old version)
• New versions downloaded to: C:\Users\[username]\.local\share\claude\versions\
• Version 1.0.83 successfully downloaded as: C:\Users\[username]\.local\share\claude\versions\1.0.83
• The updater downloads new versions but fails to copy them to the active bin location

Current Workaround

Manually copying the new version:

Copy-Item "C:\Users\[username]\.local\share\claude\versions\1.0.83" -Destination "C:\Users\[username]\.local\bin\claude.exe" -Force

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [BUG] Windows native cannot update #5651
2. [BUG] Auto-update failed error persists after manual update #5226
3. Windows Auto-update Fails with Incorrect Package Path Formatting #4253

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

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[ant-kurt]

Should be working better in 1.0.87!

[github-actions]

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.