Microsoft Sandbox is no longer available

Question

Microsoft Sandbox is no longer available

Manovosoa Andrianaivomanana 0

Hello,

I am currently taking the AZ-104 course, and I noticed that the Sandbox is no longer available. Instead, I am encouraged to create a free Azure account, which is not available in my country (Madagascar).

It would be greatly appreciated if someone could show me how can I complete the exercises without having access to the Sandbox.

Thank you.

Andy Kitching 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T16:49:33.72+00:00

I hope they bring it back. It made studying through Microsoft Learn a whole lot easier. The exercises were fully self-contained and a lot easier to manage.

Otherwise, what I really wish they'd do is to add step-by-step instructions of how to delete all the resources afterwards.
They used to auto-clean. Now you have to figure out what to remove in which order if something goes sideways.

2 answers

Your answer

Andy Kitching 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T16:49:33.72+00:00

I hope they bring it back. It made studying through Microsoft Learn a whole lot easier. The exercises were fully self-contained and a lot easier to manage.

Otherwise, what I really wish they'd do is to add step-by-step instructions of how to delete all the resources afterwards.
They used to auto-clean. Now you have to figure out what to remove in which order if something goes sideways.

Answer 1

Anonymous

Hey @Manovosoa Andrianaivomanana

Yes, your research is on point, sandboxes are no longer available hence you'll have to undergo having an Azure trial or pay-as-you-go subscription.

User's image

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/support/faq?pivots=sandbox#are-sandboxes-still-available

If this helped to clarify it for you, please don't forget to click on "Accept Answer" button.

Manovosoa Andrianaivomanana 0 Reputation points

2026-02-12T12:38:23.9966667+00:00

Hello,Thank you for your reply. I have already checked these two subscriptions, but they are not available in my country (Madagascar). Is there any other way to complete the exercises ?Regards,
Julian Sharp 40,601 Reputation points

2026-02-12T15:24:42.75+00:00

No, you need an Azure subscription

Answer 2

To complete the exercises for the AZ-104 course without access to the Microsoft Learn Sandbox, you can run the labs in your own Azure subscription. Here are some steps you can follow:

Create Your Own Azure Subscription: If the free Azure account is not available in your country, consider looking for alternative subscription options that may be available to you. Sometimes, local educational institutions or organizations may offer access to Azure.
Monitor Costs: If you use your own subscription, be aware that you will be charged for any active resources. It's important to monitor your costs carefully using the cost analysis features in the Azure portal. De-allocate any virtual machines (VMs) when they are not in use to avoid unnecessary charges.
Use Azure Credits: If you are a student or educator, you might be eligible for Azure credits. Check if you can access the $100 Azure for Students offer or the $200 Free Azure Credits offer for educators, which can help you cover the costs of using Azure resources for your training.
Follow Course Instructions: Ensure you follow the specific instructions provided in your AZ-104 course materials for setting up the required Azure resources.

By utilizing your own Azure subscription and being mindful of costs, you can effectively complete the exercises in your course without the Sandbox.

References: