diff --git a/node-agent.exe~ b/node-agent.exe~
index dcc7be8..227c001 100644
Binary files a/node-agent.exe~ and b/node-agent.exe~ differ
diff --git a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/aecrash.go b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/aecrash.go
index a7feaed..c0028c1 100644
--- a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/aecrash.go
+++ b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/aecrash.go
@@ -2,29 +2,38 @@ package runner
 
 import (
 	"os"
+	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
-// ClearAECrashState removes After Effects' session crash-recovery marker
-// (SCRPriorState.json) from every AE prefs version dir. AE checks this file at
-// startup; if it indicates an unclean prior session it shows the blocking
-// "Crash Repair Options" dialog — which would hang a headless afterfx/aerender
-// launch. Deleting it (vs. wiping all prefs) keeps the node's prefs intact.
+// ClearAECrashState removes the markers After Effects uses to decide it crashed,
+// so the blocking "Crash Repair Options" (Safe Mode) dialog never appears on a
+// headless launch. Two parts:
 //
-// Safe no-op when APPDATA is unset (non-Windows / dev).
+//  1. SCRPriorState.json in each AE prefs version dir (session crash-recovery state).
+//  2. HKCU\Software\Adobe\After Effects\AppStates — AE writes a per-session GUID
+//     subkey on startup and removes it on a clean exit; a leftover one (after a
+//     kill/crash) triggers Safe Mode. reg.exe is a Windows built-in (no external
+//     dep / cgo), so we shell out to it.
+//
+// Targeted (vs. wiping all prefs) so the node keeps its AE preferences. Safe no-op
+// on non-Windows (APPDATA unset).
 func ClearAECrashState() {
 	appData := os.Getenv("APPDATA")
 	if appData == "" {
-		return
+		return // non-Windows / dev
 	}
+
+	// 1. session crash-recovery files
 	base := filepath.Join(appData, "Adobe", "After Effects")
-	entries, err := os.ReadDir(base)
-	if err != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	for _, e := range entries {
-		if e.IsDir() {
-			_ = os.Remove(filepath.Join(base, e.Name(), "SCRPriorState.json"))
+	if entries, err := os.ReadDir(base); err == nil {
+		for _, e := range entries {
+			if e.IsDir() {
+				_ = os.Remove(filepath.Join(base, e.Name(), "SCRPriorState.json"))
+			}
 		}
 	}
+
+	// 2. registry session/crash state
+	_ = exec.Command("reg", "delete", `HKCU\Software\Adobe\After Effects\AppStates`, "/f").Run()
 }