diff --git a/hermes_cli/_scan_venv_blockers.py b/hermes_cli/_scan_venv_blockers.py
index 8a0fe153c6..e25a465567 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/_scan_venv_blockers.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/_scan_venv_blockers.py
@@ -28,14 +28,28 @@ _SENSITIVE_LONG_FLAGS: list[str] = [
 ]
 
 
-def _probe_fail_json() -> str:
-    """Return the standard probe-failure JSON document."""
-    return json.dumps({"ok": False, "blocked": False, "processes": []})
+def _probe_fail_json(diagnostic: str = "probe failed") -> str:
+    """Return the standard probe-failure JSON document.
+
+    ``ok: false`` plus ``probe_failed: true`` means the detector itself could
+    not run — this is *not* a clear scan. Callers must treat
+    ``ok is not True`` / non-zero exit as probe failure, never as
+    ``blocked: false`` "clear" (#83149).
+    """
+    return json.dumps(
+        {
+            "ok": False,
+            "probe_failed": True,
+            "blocked": False,
+            "processes": [],
+            "error": diagnostic,
+        }
+    )
 
 
 def _emit_probe_fail(diagnostic: str) -> NoReturn:
     """Print one JSON to stdout, diagnostic to stderr, exit non-zero."""
-    print(_probe_fail_json())
+    print(_probe_fail_json(diagnostic))
     print(diagnostic, file=sys.stderr)
     sys.exit(1)
 
diff --git a/scripts/install.ps1 b/scripts/install.ps1
index ac78ee3071..00dd9c6577 100644
--- a/scripts/install.ps1
+++ b/scripts/install.ps1
@@ -2460,15 +2460,23 @@ function Install-Venv {
         }
         # Move the old venv aside before creating its replacement. A directory
         # rename is atomic on the same volume and does not require deleting
-        # files mapped as DLLs. Never fall back to deleting the live venv:
-        # Windows can remove unlocked files first, then fail on one locked
-        # file, leaving no usable interpreter and no rollback source.
+        # files mapped as DLLs. NEVER fall back to deleting the live venv
+        # (#83149): Remove-Item -Recurse can delete most of site-packages and
+        # then fail on one locked .pyd, leaving a gutted venv with no usable
+        # interpreter and no rollback source. Abort with the previous install
+        # intact so the user can close holders and retry.
         $venvBackupName = "venv.stale.{0}-{1}" -f (Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMddHHmmss"), ([Guid]::NewGuid().ToString("N"))
         try {
             Rename-Item -LiteralPath "venv" -NewName $venvBackupName -ErrorAction Stop
             $venvParked = $true
         } catch {
-            throw "Could not move existing venv aside without deleting it. Close running Hermes processes and retry. $($_.Exception.Message)"
+            $renameErr = $_.Exception.Message
+            throw (
+                "Could not move the existing venv aside ($renameErr). " +
+                "A process still has the install directory open (often a non-Hermes " +
+                "python.exe that resolved into this venv via PATH). Close those " +
+                "processes and retry - the previous install was left intact."
+            )
         }
     }