OpenAI has officially launched the Windows version of its popular Codex agentic coding application, giving developers using Microsoft Windows access to the same powerful AI coding tools previously available only on Mac.
The Codex app for Mac launched earlier in February and quickly gained massive popularity. Within the first week, the application surpassed one million downloads, and it now records approximately 1.6 million weekly active users.
Interest in the Windows version has also been strong. According to OpenAI, more than 500,000 developers joined the waitlist before the Windows release became available.
Unlike many applications that are simply adapted for Windows compatibility, OpenAI designed Codex specifically for real Windows developer environments. The app integrates seamlessly with tools commonly used by Windows developers and offers native sandboxing for secure agent execution.
By default, Codex operates inside its built-in Windows sandbox, allowing developers to safely run AI agents while maintaining strong system security. Developers who prefer Linux-based workflows can also run Codex using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and its associated development tools.
When running natively, Codex uses operating system-level security controls, including restricted access tokens and advanced file system permissions. This ensures that AI coding agents can safely interact with environments such as PowerShell, which is the default command-line shell on Windows.
The overall design and interface of the Windows version remain similar to the Mac version. Developers can access the same automation features, coding skills, and worktree support. However, the Windows release introduces additional capabilities tailored specifically for the platform.
One of the most notable additions is the WinUI development skill, which allows developers to generate and manage Windows application interfaces more efficiently.
Codex is also designed differently from traditional coding tools. Instead of focusing mainly on editing code, the platform focuses on managing AI agents that write and maintain code. Developers can monitor code changes, review differences, and switch to their preferred IDE whenever necessary.
OpenAI describes this interface as a command center for AI development agents, giving developers more control over automated coding workflows.
The default AI model used in Codex is GPT-5.3-Codex, a coding-optimized model released by OpenAI. Developers can also choose from other available models depending on their requirements, including GPT-5.2-Codex, GPT-5.1-Codex-Max, GPT-5.2, and GPT-5.1-Codex-Mini for faster tasks.
The Codex Windows application is now available for all ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users, making advanced AI-powered coding accessible to a wider range of developers worldwide.
