diff --git a/tests/windows/test_windows_launcher.py b/tests/windows/test_windows_launcher.py
index 9183f5afb..1a1d346c0 100644
--- a/tests/windows/test_windows_launcher.py
+++ b/tests/windows/test_windows_launcher.py
@@ -1566,8 +1566,18 @@ def main():
             source_launcher, source_payload, launcher, env, cache, work
         )
         assert_failed_uninstall_restores_state(launcher, managed_dir, env)
+        # Stage a FRESH portable pair: the earlier managed installs consume the
+        # launcher sitting beside work/portable-install's payload, and a managed
+        # install legitimately refuses a payload with no verified adjacent
+        # launcher ("managed install requires a verified adjacent
+        # codebase-memory-mcp.exe launcher"). Reusing the consumed pair made this
+        # guard fail on the product's correct behaviour rather than on the
+        # immediate-reinstall contract it exists to protect.
+        _, reinstall_payload = copy_portable_pair(
+            source_launcher, source_payload, work / "portable-reinstall"
+        )
         assert_uninstall_immediate_reinstall_safe(
-            launcher, managed_dir, portable_payload, env
+            launcher, managed_dir, reinstall_payload, env
         )
         print("\nGREEN: permanent Windows launcher contract honored.")
         return 0