OpenAI launches Codex app for Windows on Microsoft Store

OpenAI has released a dedicated Codex app for Windows, available via the Microsoft Store starting March 3, 2026. OpenAI is promoting the Windows build as a native, first-class experience for agentic coding, highlighting Stack Overflow’s 2025 survey that shows Windows as the top primary OS for developers, with 49.5% using it professionally and 56.7% personally.

Unlike typical “runs on Windows” ports, the app is specifically designed around Windows tooling. The default agent executes commands in PowerShell and utilizes Windows Sandbox for isolation, with an optional setup to operate against WSL projects when necessary. OpenAI states that the Windows app is accessible to users across all ChatGPT tiers and can be used alongside the CLI, IDE extension, and cloud under the same account.

Codex for Windows is positioned as a command center for delegating work to multiple agents in parallel across repositories, allowing users to review and intervene through a built-in review flow. Automations enable teams to schedule repeatable tasks, while Skills connect Codex to specific tools and workflows beyond code writing.

The Windows launch comes amid rapid Codex adoption. OpenAI reported that weekly Codex users have more than tripled since the start of 2026, reaching 1.6 million. External reports indicate that usage has increased about fivefold since early January. The macOS desktop app surpassed 1 million downloads in its first week, and OpenAI had already amassed a developer waitlist of over 500,000 ahead of the Windows release.

OpenAI first introduced the Codex desktop app on macOS in early February, describing the broader Codex agent stack as “secure by default” with configurable system-level sandboxing, and previewing Windows support as the next major desktop surface.