openai / openai/codex

Windows setup fails with helper_failed after approving UAC prompt

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#45,106 2 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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app bug windows-os
Dominant language
Rust
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Description

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

26.908.40834

What subscription do you have?

ChatGPT Plus

What platform is your computer?

Windows 11 Pro 25H2, OS Build 26200.9445

What issue are you seeing?

The ChatGPT Windows app cannot complete “Finish Windows setup”.
The UAC prompt appears correctly and shows ChatGPT with verified publisher OpenAI LLC. I click “Yes” to grant administrator permission, but immediately afterwards the app displays:
“Windows setup didn’t finish — helper_failed”
Unlike issue #45003, the UAC prompt does appear in my case and the failure happens after approving it.
The official app was installed from Microsoft Store and is up to date.
Feedback ID: no-active-thread-01a09723-8383-7bf2-8733-d18582b17584

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Feedback ID: no-active-thread-01a09723-8383-7bf2-8733-d18582b17584

What is the expected behavior?

After approving the Windows UAC prompt for ChatGPT, the Windows setup should complete successfully without showing helper_failed.

Additional information

Related to #45003, but in my case the UAC prompt does appear and the failure happens after I approve it. Diagnostic logs were already submitted through ChatGPT feedback.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No source file or test is named. Start by reviewing issue #45003 alongside the submitted diagnostic logs and reproduce on Windows 11 after approving UAC. Done means Finish Windows setup completes without showing helper_failed.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
desktop-dev, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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