ChatGPT for Windows crashes when it detects a Microsoft Store update users can’t install — the updater prevents the entire app from launching

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

26.707.62119

What subscription do you have?

Plus

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0 x64

What issue are you seeing?

The ChatGPT Windows app installed from the Microsoft Store crashes shortly after launch when it detects a newer Store manifest version that is not actually available to install.

Installed package: OpenAI.Codex_26.707.8479.0_x64__2p2nqsd0c76g0

The startup log shows:
enableUpdater=true
[windows-store-updater] Checking Windows Store for package updates
buildVersion=26.707.8479.0
manifestBuildVersion=26.707.9981.0
packageIdentity=OpenAI.Codex

The window reaches ready-to-show, but the application crashes a few seconds later without displaying an error message.

Reinstalling from the Microsoft Store temporarily restores the app, but the crash returns when it detects another unavailable Store update.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Install ChatGPT from the Microsoft Store.
2. Use package version 26.707.8479.0.
3. Leave the in-app updater enabled, which is the default behavior.
4. Launch the app while the Store manifest reports version 26.707.9981.0.
5. The app briefly starts and reaches ready-to-show.
6. A few seconds later, the entire app exits silently and creates a Crashpad minidump.
7. Open the Microsoft Store and check for updates. No ChatGPT update is offered.
8. Launch the app again. The same crash occurs consistently.

I also reproduced the behavior by removing the CODEX_SPARKLE_ENABLED=false workaround.
Restoring that environment variable prevents the crash.

What is the expected behavior?

The app should continue launching normally if checking or downloading a Microsoft Store update fails.
An unavailable update, network failure, staged rollout, or Store catalog mismatch should be treated as a non-fatal updater error. The app should log the failure and retry later instead of terminating the entire application.

Additional information

Environment:
OS: Windows 11 x64, build 10.0.26200
App package: OpenAI.Codex
Installed version: 26.707.8479.0
Detected manifest version: 26.707.9981.0
Distribution: Microsoft Store

The new Crashpad dump confirms:
Exception code: 0xC0000005
Operation: Read
Invalid address: 0x0
Faulting module: resources\native\windows-updater.node
Module offset: 0x16DD3

Timeline from the latest reproduction:
18:58:33 App launched with enableUpdater=true
18:58:36 Store update check detected manifest version 26.707.9981.0
18:58:36 Window reached ready-to-show
18:58:40 Crashpad minidump was generated

The Microsoft Store UI does not offer an update, and WinGet also reports no available ChatGPT upgrade.

Temporary workaround:
CODEX_SPARKLE_ENABLED=false

With this environment variable set, the log reports enableUpdater=false, the native updater module is not triggered, and the app launches normally.