Hosted image inventory
GitHub Actions Windows hosted runner image Visual Studio 2026 label windows-latest VS 2026
A golden artifact or snapshot differs when the label begins serving VS 2026.
Agent Quick Fix
Repair against the current GitHub Windows hosted image contract, then keep the change narrow and source-backed.
Product: GitHub Windows hosted image
Current-contract area: Matrix assumes windows-2025 toolchain identity
Likely root cause: A golden artifact or snapshot differs when the label begins serving VS 2026.
Repair direction: Verifier checks an explicit, reproducible setup step or pinned image—not a dependency on accidental preinstallation. Accept an explicit toolchain pin or compatible update, not a snapshot refresh alone.Symptom
A golden artifact or snapshot differs when the label begins serving VS 2026.
Why This Happens
Preinstalled package inventory and exact tool versions are properties of a moving hosted image and cannot be recovered from local code.
Common Wrong Fixes
- Changing local code without checking the current external contract.
- Retrying the same install, build, or API call with no version/source change.
- Applying a broad unsafe bypass when a narrow compatibility fix is available.
Codex Search Keywords
These are the search terms observed in a neutral Codex validation run for this failure shape.
GitHub Actions Windows hosted runner image Visual Studio 2026 label windows-latest VS 2026
github actions runner-images windows image readme Visual Studio versions windows-2025
https://github.com/actions/runner-imagesSource Trail
GitHub source file/reference: