diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 65f9d6b9..00bf066a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -105,11 +105,7 @@ jobs:
         shell: bash
         run: |
           python scripts/verify_desktop_resources.py dist/setuav-studio
-          if [[ "${RUNNER_OS}" == "Windows" ]]; then
-            python scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py dist/setuav-studio --skip-aero-3d
-          else
-            python scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py dist/setuav-studio
-          fi
+          python scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py dist/setuav-studio
       - name: Verify macOS bundle
         if: runner.os == 'macOS'
         env:
diff --git a/scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py b/scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py
index 1ffab26b..18a21b27 100644
--- a/scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py
+++ b/scripts/desktop_startup_smoke_test.py
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@
 def _parse_arguments() -> argparse.Namespace:
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
     parser.add_argument("bundle", type=Path, help="PyInstaller desktop bundle")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--skip-aero-3d",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="deprecated / no-op",
+    )
     return parser.parse_args()