Anthropic Brings Claude Computer Use to Windows

One week after it launched this feature on the Mac, Anthropic has brought computer use to Windows in Claude Cowork and and Claude Code. This feature is currently in research preview and it requires a Claude Pro or Max subscription.

“Computer use is now available on Windows in Claude Cowork and Claude Code,” an Anthropic representative told me. “When enabled, Claude can open your apps, navigate your browser, work on your local files — anything you’d do sitting at your desk. There’s nothing to set up: no API keys, no terminal, no configuration. Download the app and it uses what’s already on your machine. It pairs with Dispatch so you can text Claude a task from your phone and come back to finished work on your PC.”

As Anthropic explained last week, Claude’s computer use capability will look for the most precise tool first, starting with service connectors for Slack, Google Calendar, and the like. But when there’s no connector, Claude will directly control your keyboard, mouse, and screen to complete tasks. It can scroll, click to open, and explore as needed, but it will ask for your permission first as needed, and there are safeguards built-in to minimize prompt injection attacks and other risks. You can also stop the work at any time, of course.

Dispatch is a feature of Claude Cowork that lets you have a continuous conversation with the AI through your phone and computer. You can assign Claude as task on your phone, for example, and then interact with the finished work on your computer later. Dispatch can also be used to do repetitive tasks like check your email every morning, pull up some metric each week, or start a Claude Code or Cowork session to create a report or a GitHub pull request. Dispatch is a standalone feature, but it interacts with computer use so that Claude can control your computer when you’re away from it but have your phone handy. You can use the two together “to create a morning briefing while you’re on the train; make changes in your IDE, run tests, and put up a PR; or keep your 3D printing project moving according to your initial plan,” Anthropic notes.

Claude’s computer use is still in research preview because it’s not as well-developed as the AI’s coding and text interaction capabilities yet. Anthropic recommends that you start with apps you trust and don’t work with sensitive data, and it created a best practices workflow for those who want to know more.