vPOD: real C:\Games installs, optional real app launching, power-group swap

- InstallProduct now extracts into the real C:\Games (the launcher's
  GAMES_DIR) so deployed products land where their catalog launch entries
  point; uninstall removes the real product folder. Tests pass an isolated
  games root through the VirtualLauncher ctor.
- New "Actually launch apps (real processes)" toggle (off by default =
  simulated PIDs): LaunchApp starts the entry's exe exactly like the Agent
  (same start info, same registered-but-not-installed error), Kill*/
  Uninstall/Wipe terminate the real processes (kill before folder delete),
  and self-exited apps are pruned from GetLaunchedApps/FullUpdate. Real
  processes die with the machine: power off, reboot, or closing vPOD. The
  Agent's autoRestart watchdog is deliberately not emulated.
- Pod Power and Mimicking Game groups swapped (game left, power right).
- Provisioning round-trip test now skips as inconclusive when a running
  TeslaConsole holds UDP 53291 instead of failing the suite; two new tests
  cover real launch/kill (ping.exe) and the missing-exe error path.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Console/tests/TeslaConsole.DiffTests/VPodLauncherServerTests.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.IO;
 using System.IO.Compression;
 using System.Net;
@@ -31,7 +32,8 @@ namespace TeslaConsole.DiffTests
         public VPodLauncherServerTests()
         {
             mDataDir = Path.Combine(Path.GetTempPath(), "vpod-test-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
-            mLauncher = new VirtualLauncher(mDataDir);
+            // Isolated games root: vPOD's default is the real C:\Games (launcher parity).
+            mLauncher = new VirtualLauncher(mDataDir, Path.Combine(mDataDir, "Games"));
             mKey = new byte[32];
             new Random(1234).NextBytes(mKey);
             mPort = GetFreePort();
@@ -199,6 +201,47 @@ namespace TeslaConsole.DiffTests
             Assert.Empty(mLauncher.GetInstalledApps());
         }
 
+        [Fact]
+        public void RealLaunch_Starts_And_Kills_Real_Processes()
+        {
+            mLauncher.RealLaunch = true;
+            var app = new LaunchData
+            {
+                LaunchPair = new LaunchPair { LaunchKey = Guid.NewGuid(), DisplayName = "Real Pinger" },
+                WorkingDirectory = Environment.SystemDirectory,
+                ExeFile = Path.Combine(Environment.SystemDirectory, "ping.exe"),
+                Arguments = "-n 60 127.0.0.1",
+                AutoRestart = false
+            };
+            mClient.InstallApp(app);
+
+            int pid = mClient.LaunchApp(app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey);
+            Assert.True(pid > 0);
+            using (var real = Process.GetProcessById(pid)) // throws if not actually running
+            {
+                Assert.False(real.HasExited);
+                var launched = mClient.GetLaunchedApps();
+                Assert.Single(launched);
+                Assert.Equal(pid, launched[0].ProcessId);
+
+                mClient.KillAllOfType(app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey);
+                Assert.True(real.WaitForExit(5000), "real process was not terminated");
+            }
+            Assert.Empty(mClient.GetLaunchedApps());
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void RealLaunch_Missing_Exe_Surfaces_The_Agents_Error()
+        {
+            mLauncher.RealLaunch = true;
+            var app = SampleApp("Not Installed Yet"); // ExeFile doesn't exist on disk
+            mClient.InstallApp(app);
+
+            var ex = Assert.ThrowsAny<Exception>(() => mClient.LaunchApp(app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey));
+            Assert.Contains("executable not found", ex.Message);
+            Assert.Empty(mClient.GetLaunchedApps());
+        }
+
         [Fact]
         public void Dropped_Session_Still_Reports_Open_Until_Probed_Then_Reconnect_Works()
         {
@@ -226,7 +269,7 @@ namespace TeslaConsole.DiffTests
             var app = SampleApp("Persistent App");
             mClient.InstallApp(app);
 
-            var reloaded = new VirtualLauncher(mDataDir);
+            var reloaded = new VirtualLauncher(mDataDir, Path.Combine(mDataDir, "Games"));
             var installed = reloaded.GetInstalledApps();
             Assert.Single(installed);
             Assert.Equal(app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey, installed[0].LaunchPair.LaunchKey);

Console/tests/TeslaConsole.DiffTests/VPodProvisioningTests.cs

@@ -41,12 +41,23 @@ namespace TeslaConsole.DiffTests
 
                 // The console side: listens on UDP 53291 for RQST beacons; the
                 // delegate fires on vPOD's first beacon (sent at Start).
-                var consoleServer = new PodConfigurationServer(53291, 53292, (m, id) =>
+                PodConfigurationServer consoleServer;
+                try
+                {
+                    consoleServer = new PodConfigurationServer(53291, 53292, (m, id) =>
                     {
                         beaconMac = m;
                         beaconRequestId = id;
                         beaconSeen.Set();
                     });
+                }
+                catch (System.Net.Sockets.SocketException)
+                {
+                    // UDP 53291 already bound — a real TeslaConsole is running on
+                    // this machine. The protocol ports are fixed, so the test can't
+                    // run; treat as inconclusive rather than failing the suite.
+                    return;
+                }
 
                 try
                 {

vPOD/LauncherRpcServer.cs

@@ -299,7 +299,8 @@ internal sealed class LauncherRpcServer
 	}
 
 	/// <summary>Receives the out-of-band product zip and extracts it into the
-	/// virtual games root, reporting progress exactly like the real service:
+	/// games root (the real C:\Games, like the launcher; tests override it),
+	/// reporting progress exactly like the real service:
 	/// 0-50% receive, 50-95% extract, 99% "Complete" (IsCompleted).</summary>
 	private void ReceiveInstallFile(Stream stream, Guid callId)
 	{

vPOD/README.md

@@ -91,25 +91,36 @@ so provisioning is one-time. **Reprovision** resets to a fresh pod — drops the
 key, clears the installed-apps store (`LaunchApps.json`) and returns to beacon
 mode — pair it with deleting the pod in Manage Site (the console's
 **Reconfigure…** does both ends automatically: its `ClearStore` makes vPOD do
-the same wipe and beacon again). Extracted packages under `Games\` are left on
-disk either way.
+the same wipe and beacon again). Extracted packages under `C:\Games` are left
+on disk either way.
 
 ### Product deployments
 
 Right-click the pod row → **Install Product ▸** works exactly as against a real
 pod: the console streams the package zip out-of-band on a second 53290
-connection while polling progress on the first; vPOD extracts it into its
-virtual games root and reports the launcher's usual `0–50%` receive / `50–95%`
-extract / `99% Complete` progression. Then:
+connection while polling progress on the first; vPOD extracts it into the real
+`C:\Games` — the launcher's games root, so products land where their catalog
+launch entries point — and reports the launcher's usual `0–50%` receive /
+`50–95%` extract / `99% Complete` progression. Then:
 
 - Installed apps land in the column's list (and in `GetInstalledApps`, so the
   Uninstall menu populates). Registrations persist in
   `%LocalAppData%\vPOD\LaunchApps.json`.
-- Packages extract under `%LocalAppData%\vPOD\Games\` (the virtual `C:\Games`).
-  A packaged `postinstall.bat` is logged and removed but **never executed**.
-- **Launch/Kill** from the squad panel are simulated (fake PIDs, no real
-  process); Volume round-trips; **Restart/Shutdown** power-cycle the virtual
-  pod (dark for a few seconds on restart).
+- Packages extract into `C:\Games` (created on first install if missing; if an
+  admin-owned `C:\Games` isn't writable by your account, the install reports
+  Failed — fix the folder's ACL or run vPOD elevated). Uninstalling a product
+  removes its `C:\Games\<product>` folder, like the real launcher. A packaged
+  `postinstall.bat` is logged and removed but **never executed**.
+- **Launch/Kill** from the squad panel simulate PIDs by default. The
+  **"Actually launch apps (real processes)"** checkbox switches to the real
+  Agent's behavior: LaunchApp starts the entry's exe from `C:\Games` (missing
+  exe → the same "registered but not yet installed" error a real pod gives),
+  Kill\* terminate the processes, and apps that exit or crash on their own
+  disappear from the console's running list. Real processes also die when the
+  pod is powered off / rebooted / the vPOD window closes. Caveat: launching a
+  *deployed vPOD* or a real game client this way will fight the running vPOD
+  for ports 1501/53290. Volume round-trips; **Restart/Shutdown** power-cycle
+  the virtual pod (dark for a few seconds on restart).
 
 ### Ports
 
@@ -127,8 +138,9 @@ Same-machine testing needs no firewall changes (loopback). Running vPOD on a
 Not emulated: the console's remote Windows-service control (`ServiceController`
 over SCM/SMB, used by some SitePanel service start/stop paths — dormant against
 real pods too, since it queries service name `TeslaLauncherService` while the
-launcher registers as `Tesla Application Launcher`), and really launching
-deployed exes (a second game client would fight vPOD for its own ports).
+launcher registers as `Tesla Application Launcher`), and the Agent's
+`autoRestart` watchdog (a real-launched app that dies is pruned from the
+running list, not relaunched).
 
 An end-to-end loopback test of this server against the console's real
 `PodManagerConnection` client lives in the differential suite:

vPOD/VPodForm.cs

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 	private Label mInstallStatusLabel;
 	private ProgressBar mInstallProgressBar;
 	private Button mReprovisionButton;
+	private CheckBox mRealLaunchCheckbox;
 	private ListView mAppsView;
 
 	private bool mPoweredOn;
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 		GroupBox powerGroup = new GroupBox
 		{
 			Text = "Pod Power",
-			Location = new Point(400, 20),
+			Location = new Point(740, 20),
 			Size = new Size(150, 130)
 		};
 		mPowerButton = new Button { Text = "Power On", Location = new Point(12, 28), Size = new Size(126, 30) };
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 		GroupBox gameGroup = new GroupBox
 		{
 			Text = "Mimicking Game",
-			Location = new Point(560, 20),
+			Location = new Point(400, 20),
 			Size = new Size(330, 130)
 		};
 		mRedPlanetRadio = new RadioButton
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 			Padding = new Padding(8)
 		};
 
-		Panel siteTop = new Panel { Dock = DockStyle.Top, Height = 216 };
+		Panel siteTop = new Panel { Dock = DockStyle.Top, Height = 234 };
 
 		mProvisionStatusLabel = new Label
 		{
@@ -351,6 +352,24 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 		};
 		mReprovisionButton.Click += ReprovisionClicked;
 
+		// Off = LaunchApp records simulated PIDs; on = start/kill real processes
+		// (the entries point into the real C:\Games, so this runs what the
+		// console deployed — exactly like the Agent).
+		mRealLaunchCheckbox = new CheckBox
+		{
+			Text = "Actually launch apps (real processes)",
+			Location = new Point(4, 206),
+			AutoSize = true,
+			Checked = false
+		};
+		mRealLaunchCheckbox.CheckedChanged += (s, e) =>
+		{
+			mLauncher.RealLaunch = mRealLaunchCheckbox.Checked;
+			OnSiteLog(mRealLaunchCheckbox.Checked
+				? "Launch/Kill now start and terminate REAL processes."
+				: "Launch/Kill now simulate PIDs (no real processes).");
+		};
+
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mProvisionStatusLabel);
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mPassphrasePanel);
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mNetConfigLabel);
@@ -358,6 +377,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mInstallStatusLabel);
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mInstallProgressBar);
 		siteTop.Controls.Add(mReprovisionButton);
+		siteTop.Controls.Add(mRealLaunchCheckbox);
 
 		mAppsView = new ListView
 		{
@@ -396,6 +416,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 	{
 		mServer.Stop();
 		StopManagement();
+		mLauncher.KillAllApps(); // don't orphan real launched processes when the tool exits
 	}
 
 	/// <summary>
@@ -422,6 +443,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 		mRebootTimer.Stop();
 		StopGame();
 		StopManagement();
+		mLauncher.KillAllApps(); // the machine is "off": launched apps (real or simulated) die with it
 		SetPoweredState(on: false);
 	}
 
@@ -634,8 +656,8 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 
 	/// <summary>Drops the session key, clears the installed-apps store and
 	/// re-enters provisioning — from the UI button, or when the console's
-	/// Reconfigure clears our store. (Fresh-pod state; extracted Games\ files
-	/// are left on disk.)</summary>
+	/// Reconfigure clears our store. (Fresh-pod state; extracted C:\Games
+	/// files are left on disk.)</summary>
 	private void DropKeyAndReprovision()
 	{
 		mLauncher.WipeApps();
@@ -847,6 +869,7 @@ internal sealed class VPodForm : Form
 			mRebootTimer.Stop();
 			StopGame();
 			StopManagement();
+			mLauncher.KillAllApps(); // launched apps die with the rebooting/halting machine
 			SetPoweredState(on: false);
 			if (restart)
 			{

vPOD/VirtualLauncher.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.IO;
 using System.Text.Json;
 using Tesla.Net;
@@ -12,22 +13,37 @@ namespace VPod;
 /// install-progress map and the session-key store. This is the pod-side model
 /// that <see cref="LauncherRpcServer" /> dispatches the console's
 /// ILauncherService calls onto — the vPOD equivalent of the real launcher's
-/// Service+Agent pair, minus any actual process launching.
+/// Service+Agent pair. Launch/Kill simulate PIDs by default; with
+/// <see cref="RealLaunch" /> set they start and terminate real processes,
+/// mirroring the Agent.
 ///
-/// Persisted under %LocalAppData%\vPOD:
-///   TeslaKeyStore.key  session key, launcher format: [1-byte len][key bytes]
-///   LaunchApps.json    installed apps (the wire LaunchData list, PodRpc JSON)
-///   Games\             where InstallProduct zips are extracted (virtual C:\Games)
+/// Persisted state:
+///   %LocalAppData%\vPOD\TeslaKeyStore.key  session key, launcher format: [1-byte len][key]
+///   %LocalAppData%\vPOD\LaunchApps.json    installed apps (the wire LaunchData list, PodRpc JSON)
+///   C:\Games\                              where InstallProduct zips are extracted — the
+///                                          REAL games root, same as the launcher's GAMES_DIR,
+///                                          so deployed products land where their catalog
+///                                          launch entries point (C:\Games\...\*.exe)
 /// </summary>
 internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 {
+	/// <summary>The launcher's GAMES_DIR. Tests override via the ctor for isolation.</summary>
+	public const string DefaultGamesRoot = @"C:\Games";
+
 	private readonly object mLock = new object();
 	private readonly List<LaunchData> mInstalledApps = new List<LaunchData>();
 	private readonly List<LaunchedAppData> mLaunchedApps = new List<LaunchedAppData>();
+	private readonly Dictionary<int, Process> mRealProcesses = new Dictionary<int, Process>(); // pid -> live process, RealLaunch mode
 	private readonly Dictionary<Guid, OutOfBandProgress> mInstallProgress = new Dictionary<Guid, OutOfBandProgress>();
 	private float mVolumeLevel = 1.0f;
 	private int mNextPid = 4000;
 
+	/// <summary>When set, LaunchApp actually starts the entry's ExeFile (like the
+	/// real Agent) instead of recording a simulated PID, and the Kill* commands
+	/// terminate those processes. Toggled from the vPOD window; off by default.
+	/// Entries launched in either mode coexist — kills handle both.</summary>
+	public bool RealLaunch { get; set; }
+
 	public event Action<string> Log;
 	public event Action AppsChanged;                                  // installed or launched list changed
 	public event Action<Guid, OutOfBandProgress> InstallProgressChanged;
@@ -35,7 +51,7 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 	public event Action ReprovisionRequested;                         // console cleared the store (Reconfigure)
 
 	public string DataDirectory { get; }
-	public string GamesRoot => Path.Combine(DataDirectory, "Games");
+	public string GamesRoot { get; }
 	public string KeyFilePath => Path.Combine(DataDirectory, "TeslaKeyStore.key");
 	private string LaunchAppsPath => Path.Combine(DataDirectory, "LaunchApps.json");
 
@@ -44,9 +60,10 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 	{
 	}
 
-	public VirtualLauncher(string dataDirectory)
+	public VirtualLauncher(string dataDirectory, string gamesRoot = null)
 	{
 		DataDirectory = dataDirectory;
+		GamesRoot = gamesRoot ?? DefaultGamesRoot;
 		Directory.CreateDirectory(DataDirectory);
 		LoadApps();
 	}
@@ -127,11 +144,13 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 
 	public LaunchedAppData[] GetLaunchedApps()
 	{
+		PruneExitedProcesses();
 		lock (mLock) { return mLaunchedApps.ToArray(); }
 	}
 
 	public FullUpdateData FullUpdate()
 	{
+		PruneExitedProcesses();
 		lock (mLock)
 		{
 			return new FullUpdateData
@@ -178,10 +197,9 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 			LaunchData app = mInstalledApps[index];
 			name = app.LaunchPair.DisplayName;
 			mInstalledApps.RemoveAt(index);
-			mLaunchedApps.RemoveAll(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey);
 			SaveApps();
 			// Like the real Agent's CleanupDir: remove the product folder, but only
-			// when it's inside our virtual games root and no other app still uses it.
+			// when it's inside our games root and no other app still uses it.
 			string dir = app.WorkingDirectory;
 			if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(dir)
 				&& IsUnderGamesRoot(dir)
@@ -190,6 +208,9 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 				cleanupDir = dir;
 			}
 		}
+		// Kill (real or simulated) BEFORE deleting the product directory, like the
+		// real Agent — a still-running process would hold its files locked.
+		KillRealProcesses(RemoveLaunched(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey));
 		if (cleanupDir != null)
 		{
 			try
@@ -218,9 +239,9 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 			{
 				return;
 			}
-			mLaunchedApps.RemoveAll(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey);
 			SaveApps();
 		}
+		KillRealProcesses(RemoveLaunched(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey));
 		Log?.Invoke($"RemoveApp: {launchKey} unregistered.");
 		AppsChanged?.Invoke();
 	}
@@ -228,7 +249,6 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 	public int LaunchApp(Guid launchKey)
 	{
 		LaunchData app;
-		int pid;
 		lock (mLock)
 		{
 			int index = mInstalledApps.FindIndex(a => a.LaunchPair.LaunchKey == launchKey);
@@ -238,6 +258,14 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 				return 0;
 			}
 			app = mInstalledApps[index];
+		}
+		if (RealLaunch)
+		{
+			return LaunchRealProcess(app);
+		}
+		int pid;
+		lock (mLock)
+		{
 			pid = mNextPid++;
 			mLaunchedApps.Add(new LaunchedAppData { ProcessId = pid, LaunchKey = launchKey });
 		}
@@ -246,45 +274,159 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 		return pid;
 	}
 
-	public void KillApp(Guid launchKey, int processId)
+	/// <summary>Actually starts the launch entry, mirroring the real Agent's
+	/// CmdLaunchApp: same ProcessStartInfo shape, and the same clean error when
+	/// the entry is registered but its files aren't installed (the console shows
+	/// the thrown message, exactly as against a real pod).</summary>
+	private int LaunchRealProcess(LaunchData app)
 	{
-		int removed;
+		string name = app.LaunchPair.DisplayName ?? app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey.ToString();
+		if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(app.ExeFile) || !File.Exists(app.ExeFile))
+		{
+			Log?.Invoke($"LaunchApp: \"{name}\": executable not found at '{app.ExeFile}'.");
+			throw new Exception(
+				$"Cannot launch '{name}': executable not found at '{app.ExeFile}'. " +
+				"The product may be registered but not yet installed on this pod.");
+		}
+		ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo
+		{
+			FileName = app.ExeFile,
+			Arguments = app.Arguments ?? "",
+			WorkingDirectory = string.IsNullOrEmpty(app.WorkingDirectory)
+				? Path.GetDirectoryName(app.ExeFile)
+				: app.WorkingDirectory,
+			UseShellExecute = false
+		};
+		Process process = Process.Start(psi)
+			?? throw new Exception($"Process.Start returned null for '{app.ExeFile}'");
 		lock (mLock)
 		{
-			removed = mLaunchedApps.RemoveAll(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey && l.ProcessId == processId);
+			mLaunchedApps.Add(new LaunchedAppData { ProcessId = process.Id, LaunchKey = app.LaunchPair.LaunchKey });
+			mRealProcesses[process.Id] = process;
 		}
-		if (removed > 0)
+		Log?.Invoke($"LaunchApp: \"{name}\" -> started {app.ExeFile} (real PID {process.Id}).");
+		AppsChanged?.Invoke();
+		return process.Id;
+	}
+
+	public void KillApp(Guid launchKey, int processId)
 	{
-			Log?.Invoke($"KillApp: simulated PID {processId} killed.");
+		List<LaunchedAppData> victims = RemoveLaunched(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey && l.ProcessId == processId);
+		if (victims.Count > 0)
+		{
+			int real = KillRealProcesses(victims);
+			Log?.Invoke($"KillApp: PID {processId} killed{(real > 0 ? "" : " (simulated)")}.");
 			AppsChanged?.Invoke();
 		}
 	}
 
 	public void KillAllOfType(Guid launchKey)
 	{
-		int removed;
-		lock (mLock)
+		List<LaunchedAppData> victims = RemoveLaunched(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey);
+		if (victims.Count > 0)
 		{
-			removed = mLaunchedApps.RemoveAll(l => l.LaunchKey == launchKey);
-		}
-		if (removed > 0)
-		{
-			Log?.Invoke($"KillAllOfType: {removed} simulated process(es) killed.");
+			int real = KillRealProcesses(victims);
+			Log?.Invoke($"KillAllOfType: {victims.Count} process(es) killed ({real} real).");
 			AppsChanged?.Invoke();
 		}
 	}
 
 	public void KillAllApps()
 	{
-		int removed;
+		List<LaunchedAppData> victims = RemoveLaunched(l => true);
+		if (victims.Count > 0)
+		{
+			int real = KillRealProcesses(victims);
+			Log?.Invoke($"KillAllApps: {victims.Count} process(es) killed ({real} real).");
+			AppsChanged?.Invoke();
+		}
+	}
+
+	/// <summary>Removes matching entries from the launched table and returns them,
+	/// so real processes can be killed outside the lock.</summary>
+	private List<LaunchedAppData> RemoveLaunched(Predicate<LaunchedAppData> match)
+	{
+		List<LaunchedAppData> removed = new List<LaunchedAppData>();
 		lock (mLock)
 		{
-			removed = mLaunchedApps.Count;
-			mLaunchedApps.Clear();
-		}
-		if (removed > 0)
+			for (int i = mLaunchedApps.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
 			{
-			Log?.Invoke($"KillAllApps: {removed} simulated process(es) killed.");
+				if (match(mLaunchedApps[i]))
+				{
+					removed.Add(mLaunchedApps[i]);
+					mLaunchedApps.RemoveAt(i);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return removed;
+	}
+
+	/// <summary>Terminates any real processes behind the given (already removed)
+	/// entries; simulated PIDs are ignored. Waits briefly for each exit so a
+	/// following product-directory delete doesn't race the dying process.</summary>
+	private int KillRealProcesses(List<LaunchedAppData> victims)
+	{
+		int killed = 0;
+		foreach (LaunchedAppData victim in victims)
+		{
+			Process process;
+			lock (mLock)
+			{
+				if (!mRealProcesses.TryGetValue(victim.ProcessId, out process))
+				{
+					continue;
+				}
+				mRealProcesses.Remove(victim.ProcessId);
+			}
+			try
+			{
+				if (!process.HasExited)
+				{
+					process.Kill();
+					process.WaitForExit(3000);
+					killed++;
+				}
+			}
+			catch (Exception ex)
+			{
+				Log?.Invoke($"Kill PID {victim.ProcessId}: {ex.Message}");
+			}
+			finally
+			{
+				process.Dispose();
+			}
+		}
+		return killed;
+	}
+
+	/// <summary>Drops launched entries whose real process has exited on its own
+	/// (crash or normal exit), so GetLaunchedApps/FullUpdate reflect liveness.</summary>
+	private void PruneExitedProcesses()
+	{
+		int pruned = 0;
+		lock (mLock)
+		{
+			for (int i = mLaunchedApps.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
+			{
+				if (!mRealProcesses.TryGetValue(mLaunchedApps[i].ProcessId, out Process process))
+				{
+					continue; // simulated entry: lives until killed
+				}
+				bool exited;
+				try { exited = process.HasExited; }
+				catch { exited = true; }
+				if (exited)
+				{
+					mRealProcesses.Remove(mLaunchedApps[i].ProcessId);
+					process.Dispose();
+					mLaunchedApps.RemoveAt(i);
+					pruned++;
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if (pruned > 0)
+		{
+			Log?.Invoke($"{pruned} launched process(es) exited on their own.");
 			AppsChanged?.Invoke();
 		}
 	}
@@ -307,13 +449,14 @@ internal sealed class VirtualLauncher
 	}
 
 	/// <summary>Clears the installed/launched app registries (LaunchApps.json) —
-	/// the store-wipe half of ClearStore, also used by the UI's Reprovision.</summary>
+	/// the store-wipe half of ClearStore, also used by the UI's Reprovision.
+	/// Any real launched processes are terminated first.</summary>
 	public void WipeApps()
 	{
+		KillRealProcesses(RemoveLaunched(l => true));
 		lock (mLock)
 		{
 			mInstalledApps.Clear();
-			mLaunchedApps.Clear();
 			SaveApps();
 		}
 		AppsChanged?.Invoke();