Windows: Codex App becomes unlaunchable after opening the Trusted Access page in the embedded browser

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

26.721.4979.0

What subscription do you have?

Plus

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.22631.0 x64

What issue are you seeing?

Codex App crashes immediately after opening the Trusted Access page inside the app.

After the crash, Codex App can no longer be launched. Windows immediately displays:

Unable to open this app.

The localized dialog on my system says:

<img width="678" height="179" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3a2d53f3-3a16-434b-b76d-760b1596ec89" />

No Codex process appears in Task Manager after the failed launch attempt.

Running Repair for Codex from Windows Settings restores the application's ability to launch. However, repeating the same workflow causes the issue again.

I reproduced this multiple times, and it occurred on every attempt.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Open Codex App.

1. Go to Settings → General and set Web URL and link open destination to ChatGPT, so web links open inside the desktop app rather than in the system browser.

<img width="784" height="163" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/826480e8-56cc-4c5b-8958-0d92a3a5b1a2" />

1. Use Codex for a cybersecurity-related workflow until the following message is displayed:

> This content can't be shown. We take extra caution with cybersecurity requests. If you're a security professional, you may be able to apply for Trusted Access.

<img width="740" height="77" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/393f363f-0318-4227-9c4c-ae34f5a70741" />

1. Click Learn more.

1. The Trusted Access page opens inside the Codex App embedded browser.

<img width="996" height="803" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9e0809e6-a555-42ff-97e6-fa6b9e1996c6" />

1. Codex App immediately crashes.

1. Try to launch Codex App again.

1. Windows immediately displays “Unable to open this app”, and no Codex process appears in Task Manager.

1. Open Windows Settings and run Repair for Codex. The app becomes launchable again.

<img width="560" height="564" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/74eb2fdc-57de-43a9-a850-a68df823850a" />

1. Repeat steps 1–8. The same issue occurs again.

What is the expected behavior?

Opening the Trusted Access page should not crash Codex App or leave it in a state where it can no longer be launched.

Whether the Trusted Access page loads successfully or fails, the embedded browser should fail safely and Codex App should remain usable and launchable.

Additional information

• Model selected during reproduction: GPT-5.6 (gpt-5.6-sol)
• OS: Windows 11 Home China, version 23H2, OS build 22631.5624
• Microsoft Store package: OpenAI.Codex_26.721.4979.0_x64__2p2nqsd0c76g0
• Installation source/signature: Microsoft Store
• Device: ASUS ROG Strix G614JV
• CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX
• GPUs:
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, driver 32.0.16.1062
• Intel UHD Graphics, driver 31.0.101.5333
• Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime: 150.0.4078.105
• Potentially related, but not identical: #35311 — Windows in-app Browser incident causing an unlaunchable state and requiring Repair. That report uses the same Codex App version but has a different triggering page and workflow.