[Windows] ChatGPT/Codex desktop app causes system-wide mouse stutter when running without elevation
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Description
What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?
26.810.41047
What subscription do you have?
plus
What platform is your computer?
No response
What issue are you seeing?
The ChatGPT/Codex Windows desktop app causes severe system-wide mouse cursor stuttering whenever it is running with normal user privileges.
The issue occurs across the desktop, File Explorer, Windows Settings, Notepad, and other applications. Completely exiting ChatGPT immediately restores normal mouse movement.
Interestingly, elevated applications are unaffected while focused. Task Manager, Event Viewer, and Notepad launched as Administrator all have smooth mouse movement.
If ChatGPT itself is launched as Administrator, the stuttering disappears completely system-wide.
This issue is reproducible on two separate Windows PCs.
What steps can reproduce the bug?
Launch the ChatGPT Windows desktop app normally.
Move the mouse over the desktop, File Explorer, Settings, or a normally launched Notepad window. Mouse movement becomes noticeably stuttery.
Launch Notepad as Administrator and focus its window. Mouse movement immediately becomes smooth.
Return focus to a normal application. The stuttering immediately returns.
Completely exit ChatGPT. Mouse movement becomes smooth everywhere.
Alternatively, launch ChatGPT itself as Administrator. The stuttering no longer occurs in any application.
Additional troubleshooting already tested without improvement:
Windows Efficiency Mode
Lowering ChatGPT process priority
Resetting the graphics driver with Win+Ctrl+Shift+B
WMI Provider Host activity appears normal
Codex desktop pet is disabled
CPU utilization is not saturated.
What is the expected behavior?
No response
Additional information
No response
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reproducing the mouse stutter with the ChatGPT/Codex Windows desktop app running normally, then compare normal and elevated application focus as described. Verify the behavior on the desktop and several normal and administrator-launched applications, and confirm that exiting or elevating ChatGPT removes the stutter.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- desktop, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 45/100