diff --git a/scripts/windows-smoke.mjs b/scripts/windows-smoke.mjs
index d94c0a6..552eb45 100644
--- a/scripts/windows-smoke.mjs
+++ b/scripts/windows-smoke.mjs
@@ -228,6 +228,19 @@ for (const [state, put] of [
     record(name, 'fail', String(e).slice(0, 200));
   }
 }
+// Control for #8: can this machine show a hidden window at all? (A runner
+// without an interactive desktop can't, and that isn't the app's fault.)
+try {
+  await win('hide');
+  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 1000));
+  await win('show');
+  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 1000));
+  const shown = await win('is_visible');
+  record('control: a hidden window can be shown again', shown ? 'pass' : 'info', `visible after show(): ${shown}`);
+} catch (e) {
+  record('control: a hidden window can be shown again', 'info', String(e).slice(0, 160));
+}
+
 // 9. System-wide voice hotkeys (#2): register PTT on F9, press and release F9
 // through Windows (keybd_event, as a game in front would see it), expect a
 // pressed and a released `lotus-global-hotkey`; after clearing the bindings