{"version":"2.1.281","anchor":"windows-updater-keeps-backup-executables-while-the-launcher","canonical_anchor":"windows-updater-keeps-backup-executables-while-the-launcher","heading":"Windows updater keeps backup executables while the launcher is missing","tier":null,"area":null,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.281\/e\/windows-updater-keeps-backup-executables-while-the-launcher","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.281","markdown":"### Windows updater keeps backup executables while the launcher is missing\n\nOn Windows, backup copies of Claude Code are now kept for up to 30 days when the launcher is missing\n\n**What**\n\nWhen Claude Code starts on Windows, it cleans up old copies of its program file left behind by updates. It now matches those copies (`<exe>.old.<ts>[.<pid>]` and `<exe>.new.*`) against the real program name, ignoring upper and lower case. If backups exist and the launcher file is missing or empty, it keeps:\n\n- the newest intact backup for 30 days\n\n- other backups for 14 days\n\nIn every other case, the old one-hour cleanup still applies.\n\n**Why**\n\nIf the launcher has gone missing, a working copy of Claude Code stays on disk instead of being deleted within the hour."}