[Windows][26.903.8094.0] ChatGPT desktop app stuck in update loop and exits during update

This issue is related to #38843, but it still reproduces on the newer version 26.903.61454.

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.903.61454

What subscription do you have?

PROx20

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19044.0 x64

What issue are you seeing?

The Windows ChatGPT desktop app is stuck in an update loop.

The update indicator remains visible continuously. When I click the update button and start the update, a dialog appears. After clicking the action button in the dialog, the ChatGPT app closes. After reopening the app, it still shows that an update is required.

The update does not complete and the installed version does not change.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Open the ChatGPT Windows desktop app.
2. Observe that the update indicator is continuously displayed.
3. Click the update button.
4. Click “Start update” / “Update”.
5. Wait for the update dialog to appear.
6. Click the confirmation or continue button.
7. The ChatGPT app closes.
8. Reopen ChatGPT.
9. The same update prompt is shown again.

What is the expected behavior?

The update should install successfully, the app should restart, and the update prompt should disappear.

If the update cannot be installed, the app should remain usable and show a clear error instead of repeatedly requesting the same update.

Additional information

• Reopening the app does not resolve the issue.
• The update prompt is shown again every time.
• The application can still be used before starting the update.
• The issue appears to be related to the built-in Windows MSIX update/deployment process.
• The update check may succeed while package deployment or installation fails.
• The updater appears to retain the pending update state after the failed installation.

I also checked the installed Windows MSIX package version directly with PowerShell:

Get-AppxPackage -Name OpenAI.Codex | Select Name, Version, PackageFullName

Output:

Name Version PackageFullName

---

OpenAI.Codex 26.903.8094.0 OpenAI.Codex_26.903.8094.0_x64__2p2nqsd0c76g0

However, About Codex reports:

26.903.61454

So on the same installation I currently see:

Windows/MSIX package version: 26.903.8094.0
About Codex app version string: 26.903.61454

Start by reproducing the loop on Windows, then inspect the built-in MSIX update/deployment flow and compare its result with the PowerShell Get-AppxPackage output. Done means the update installs and the app restarts with the prompt cleared, or a failed installation leaves the app usable with a clear error instead of retrying indefinitely.