Windows Sandbox not working anymore

Question

System is an up to date Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 10.0.19043.

I get:

Windows Sandbox failed to start.

Error 0x80041002.

If I try to disable the feature, I then get:

Update Containers-DisposableClientVM of package Containers-OptionalFeature-DisposableClientVM failed to be turned off. Status: 0x800f0922.

There's also something (not) going on with Microsoft Defender Application Guard:

Update Windows-Defender-ApplicationGuard of package Microsoft-Windows-HVSI failed to be turned on. Status: 0x800f0922.

After the obligatory sfc /scannow, dism /restorehealth and the like, I tried clean booting and uninstalled pretty much everything that was not basic/shipped with the machine (Dell Vostro 15 5510 P106F001), including VMware Workstation Pro 16 which is my main application: nothing seems to matter at all.

I would try to factory reset the whole thing but the laptop has less than two months of active life and so far it just played common VMs.

Where should I start investigating?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hello,

Could you please try the below steps,

1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "services.msc"
2. In your search results "services.msc" should show up. Open it with a click.
3. A new windows will open containing all Windows services on your system.
4. Search for "Windows Update"
5. Right-click the "Windows Update" and then click Stop.

We will now clean the Windows Update temporary cache folder:

1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultaneous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore in this new window and click OK.
4. This will open Windows Explorer on the correct location.
5. Delete all contents of this folder. (Hint: Use Ctrl + A to select all files and folders)

Now we will start the Windows Update Service again:

1. Switch back to the windows Services.
2. Locate Windows Update.
3. Right-click on it and choose Start.

If the problem still persists, you can run the System File Checker (SFC) utility. This handy in-built tool will check your filesystem.

1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "cmd".
2. In your search results cmd should show up with an black icon.
3. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
4. If you are prompted for the admin password, enter the password and click OK.
5. A new completely black windows will open. You can type commands directly into this window.
6. Type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
7. This process will take a long time. You can minimize this black windows and work on.
   Come back to the black window after a time and check if the process finished.
   As soon as the SFC process finished, restart your computer. After the restart you search for Updates again.

still facing the same issue?

1. Restart your computer.

Next thing is to clean Windows Update download path. These steps are only for expirienced user! If you mess up your computer with Regedit, you could loose your files! Take care or use a professional tool to investiagte your computer.

1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultanous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type regedit in this new windows and hit Enter.
4. In the new windows you have a navigation on the left side. Use it to navigate to
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
5. Once you found it, search for WUServer and WIStatusServer in the right hand pane.
6. If they are not listet we cannot clean the download path. Othwerwise delete both.
7. Restart your computer.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Thanks,

Answer 2

Hi there @Limitless Technology and thank you for your answer. As I wrote, I already tried the basic remediation things and nothing made the slightest difference.

Windows Update seems to be working fine.

How do I troubleshoot Windows Sandbox startup issues and features enable/disable activities?