Setup
Claude Cowork on Windows, Mac, and Linux: What Is Supported
Claude Cowork runs on macOS and Windows through the Claude desktop app, with no Linux, web, or mobile version. Requirements and the Windows gotcha.
Claude Cowork runs on macOS and Windows only, through the Claude desktop app. There is no Linux build, no web version, and no mobile app. On Mac you need macOS 11 or later. On Windows you need an edition with Hyper-V (Pro, Enterprise, or Education), because Cowork runs its work in a sandbox that depends on it.
The most-asked question about Claude Cowork is not “what does it do.” It is “will it run on my computer.” Understandable. There is nothing quite like getting excited about a tool and then running into the words “macOS only” in the fine print. So here is the answer, without the fine print.
The short answer
Cowork runs on macOS and Windows, through the Claude desktop app. That is the whole list. No Linux. No web version. No phone app. If your work happens on a Mac or a Windows PC, you are in. If it happens anywhere else, for now, hang tight.
Anthropic rolled Cowork out to everyone in April 2026, after a Mac beta earlier in the year and a Windows beta right behind it. Both platforms are past the “experimental” stage and have the real thing.
Claude Cowork on Mac
Mac users have the smoothest path. You need macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later, and both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported. Download the Claude desktop app, sign in with a paid plan, and Cowork is right there. If your Mac has run anything from the last couple of years, you are fine.
Claude Cowork on Windows
Windows is fully supported, with the same feature set as the Mac version: local file access, multi-step tasks, plugins, and connectors. There is one catch worth knowing before you get your hopes up.
Cowork does its work inside a secure sandbox, and on Windows that sandbox depends on Hyper-V. Hyper-V only ships with Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education, not Windows Home. If you are on Home edition, Cowork may not run until you upgrade your Windows edition. That is the kind of detail that is genuinely annoying to discover after downloading, which is exactly why it is the first thing mentioned here.
Windows otherwise gets full feature parity with Mac. No second-class treatment.
Claude Cowork on Linux
Here is the part Linux users will not love: there is no Cowork on Linux. The Claude desktop app does not ship a Linux build, so the Cowork interface simply is not available. You can still use Claude on Linux through the web, but the desktop agent experience is Mac and Windows only for now. If that changes, this guide will too.
What about the web and mobile?
Also no. The web and mobile versions of Claude are fine for chat, but Cowork is a desktop tool by design. It needs access to local files and apps, and that is a desktop job. For why the desktop focus matters, see our complete guide to Claude Cowork.
Quick reference
| Platform | Cowork supported? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Yes | macOS 11 or later, Apple Silicon or Intel |
| Windows | Yes | Needs Hyper-V (Pro, Enterprise, or Education) |
| Linux | No | No desktop app build |
| Web browser | No | Chat only, not Cowork |
| Mobile | No | Chat only, not Cowork |
Check your edition before you download
Mac or Windows, you are covered. Windows Home users, check your edition first. Linux, web, and mobile are chat-only for now. Requirements on fast-moving software change, so verify the current details on Anthropic’s download page before committing a weekend to it. Once you are set, our how to get Claude Cowork guide takes you from download to first task.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Cowork available on Windows?
Yes. Claude Cowork runs on Windows through the Claude desktop app, with the same features as the Mac version. It does require a Windows edition that includes Hyper-V, which means Pro, Enterprise, or Education rather than Home.
Does Claude Cowork work on Linux?
No. The Claude desktop app that hosts Cowork does not ship a Linux build, so there is no way to run the Cowork interface on Linux today.
Can I use Claude Cowork in a web browser?
No. Cowork is a desktop feature. The web and mobile versions of Claude offer chat, but Cowork itself only runs in the desktop app on Mac and Windows.
What are the system requirements for Claude Cowork?
On macOS you need version 11 (Big Sur) or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. On Windows you need an edition with Hyper-V available (Pro, Enterprise, or Education) plus a paid Claude plan.