Windows Sandbox does not open at all ?

Question

Windows Sandbox does not open at all ?

ilkka ronka 80

Hi I have tried to launch Windows Sandbox, but it does not start at all. When I click the Sandbox icon, I only see the hourglass for a moment and then nothing happens. Sandbox simply doesn’t open. OS:__ Windows 11 Pro, version 25H2, build 26200.7840. What I have tried so far:

Verified that virtualization is enabled, both in Windows and in the BIOS
Enabled all the required Windows Features for Windows Sandbox
Checked the system information using the systeminfo command
I have also disabled Memory Integrity under Core Isolation to make sure it is not blocking hyper-v
Edge browser was fully installed on my computer, and I didn’t do anything to trigger it.
Power shell command: Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftEdge
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable Status ok I have not run any ‘debloat’ script

Edit: Running WindowsSandbox.exe from PowerShell shows an error message: (0x80070002)

I have enabled the following items in ‘Turn Windows features on or off’: – Hyper‑V and all of its sub‑components – Virtual Machine Platform – Windows Sandbox – Windows Hypervisor Platform

Using the systeminfo command: Virtualization‑based security: Status: Running Hyper‑V Requirements: A hypervisor has been detected. Features required for Hyper‑V will not be displayed

ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-21T05:48:59.37+00:00

Please remove this post, I published it by mistake.

5 answers

Your answer

ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-21T05:48:59.37+00:00

Please remove this post, I published it by mistake.

Answer 1

PABLO 0

Hi, had a similar issue, 0x80070020.

For me, was an old Win10Pcap.sys driver form an old version of softether vpn.

It worked after I uninstalled that driver and repaired the sandbox app install.

--

Pablo

Answer 2

ilkka ronka 80

I checked it and I am not in the Insider program.

Here is the list of optional Windows features on my system. As you can see, Windows Sandbox does not appear anywhere in the list, in either English or Finnish. This is why I believe there is not much left to try on my side.
The direct Finnish translation of Windows Sandbox would be ‘Windows hiekkalaatikko’. I’m not sure whether this translation is actually used in the Finnish version of Windows 11. In any case, it doesn’t appear in Windows Features under either name. Should it be visible there?

EDIT: windows sandbox=windows-eristys??

feeters

Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-26T13:25:50.2966667+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

As I see, windows-eristys seems to be an equivalent of Windows Sanbox itself.

I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, can you please check another suggestion above?
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-27T10:12:05.1166667+00:00

pnputil /delete-driver oem52.inf /uninstall /force

pnputil /delete-driver oem59.inf /uninstall /force

pnputil /delete-driver oem2.inf /uninstall /force

pnputil /delete-driver oem11.inf /uninstall /force

I remove those driver and uninstall and install sandbox command:
Disable/enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Containers-DisposableClientVM.
When I try to open Windows Sandbox, a small window appears for a moment saying ‘Searching for updates for Windows sandbox. After that nothing happens. The hourglass cursor shows for a while, and then Sandbox simply closes without opening.

A.i. Copilot says: Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.7922 does not include the Windows Sandbox package.

Therefore Sandbox cannot function, and it cannot be installed with any command.

If you want Sandbox back without reinstalling Windows, the only working option is to update back to a stable build (26100.x).
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-27T11:04:42.67+00:00

Pls remove this post.
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-27T14:00:38.2366667+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for letting me know.

Usually that is it weird if your account is in a preview build without ever enrolling in the program. The in-place upgrade steps will install the latest public ready version to your computer.

May I know if the step from PABLO works for you?
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-27T14:59:26.0633333+00:00

Thanks for your effort. That’s exactly what I was trying to say in my reply — Pablo’s solution didn’t work.
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-03T12:56:02.8566667+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for letting me know.

If you have any other questions. Feel free to ask.

Answer 3

Carl-L 9,580 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for your patience.

Disclaimer: Actually the ISO reinstallation is a way to fix it. However, I usually suggest it as a last resort since it will take a while for it to finish. Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides:

How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community

I'm waiting for your reply.

ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-25T09:30:19.9533333+00:00

I followed the instructions and it didn’t help, and now I’m starting to wonder whether this version even includes Sandbox at all.

Version 25H2 (26200.7840).

I’m not sure if the Finnish equivalent of Sandbox is ‘Windows eristys’, which appears in Windows Features?
If I use the search function, it does find Sandbox, but when I click it, I only get the hourglass for a moment and nothing else happens.

P.S. The AI claims that in this version (Canary) there is no Sandbox at all.
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-25T14:15:22.6766667+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

I'll see what I can find.

Canary is the name for a Windows 11 Insider Channel, if you can see it, that means your computer is currently in the Insider program. WSB in fact does have a version of it own in the Insider Program, which, of course, also a preview version per this official article. You can check the status of your computer by going to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.

If this is really the Insider Program. Reverting it to current released build could help. Can you please check and try it if that applies?

I'm waiting for your reply.

Answer 4

Carl-L 9,580 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for replying.

I'm still working on it. I'll let you know if I find anything.

The error you see means there are a Hyper-V component that is not enabled, started or might be broken or corrupted.

I see that you have checked and the virtualization is enabled in BIOS. So we can be sure that this is not the cause.

In this case, please try to type these commands in order in an elevated Command Prompt,

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "Containers-DisposableClientVM" -All -Online
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
Set-Service -Name vmcompute -StartupType Automatic
Set-Service -Name vmms -StartupType Automatic
Start-Service vmcompute
Start-Service vmms
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Restart your computer when it is done and try again.

ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-21T05:51:35.2766667+00:00

Hi, and thanks again for the assistance.

I’ve gone through all the recommended steps and ran the necessary commands in PowerShell, since some of them didn’t work correctly in Command Prompt. Everything completed successfully, and both DISM and SFC reported no issues or corrupted files. I’ve attached a screenshot of the results, and it should be safe to share as it contains no personal information.

Unfortunately, the original issue is still present even after completing all these checks.

What would you recommend as the next troubleshooting steps?
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-21T14:03:02.8+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

It's unfortunate to hear that.

I'll see what I can do. I'll keep you updated.

Just want to make sure. By what you say in the answer comment, do you need my help removing the photo?

I'm waiting for your reply.
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-22T02:27:10.22+00:00

Thank you. No need to remove it. That was my mistake.

Would it help if I reinstalled Windows 11 using an ISO repair installation?
Is this perhaps the last option to try to repair Windows Sandbox?

Answer 5

Carl-L 9,580 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello ilkka ronka,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

I see that you are having issue with Microsoft Sandbox. Before we proceed, may I know when the issue starts and if there are any changes to your computer before that time?

In the meantime, please try to follow this fix.

Open PowerShell as an administrator.
Type dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Containers-DisposableClientVM /NoRestart Restart-Computer and press Enter.
Type dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Containers-DisposableClientVM /All /NoRestart Restart-Computer and press Enter.
Restart your computer.

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ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-18T08:13:38.49+00:00

Thank you for your reply. PowerShell does not recognize the commands you provided. Error 87.
I am running PowerShell as Administrator.
I think I tried to open Sandbox for the first time about a week ago, so I haven’t used it at all before that. I haven’t made any changes to my computer.
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-18T13:56:30.78+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for replying.

Sorry for the confusion, the Restart-Computer commands were supposed to be on a separate line instead of in the same commands. Can you please try again after removing those?

I'm waiting for your reply.
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-18T16:07:23.3866667+00:00

Hi

The commands worked, but they didn’t help. The sandbox still won’t open, so the issue continues.
Carl-L 9,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-19T13:30:34.86+00:00

Hello ilkka ronka,

Thanks for letting me know.

I'll see what I can do. I'll keep you updated.

Just in case, can you please try to create another user profile and try to launch Sandbox from there? There is a chance that the current profile is corrupted.
ilkka ronka 80 Reputation points

2026-02-19T14:50:30.41+00:00

I tested starting Windows Sandbox with a new user profile, but it still doesn’t open. It gives the error code 0x80370106

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Windows Sandbox does not open at all ?

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