The next version of Windows 10 is projected to launch this month with massive improvements, and this is without a doubt a highly-anticipated release.
Windows 10 version 2004, or the May 2020 Update, comes after the November 2019 Update, which was described by many as “a little bit more than a service pack.” This is because the November update didn’t bring anything else than small refinements under the hood, so the focus wasn’t exactly on new features.
Windows Sandbox is one of the features getting some love in Windows 10 May 2020 Update, as Microsoft adds new functionality based on user feedback.
Sandbox is a new feature that makes it possible for users to run a separate instance of Windows 10 in secure sandbox, so everything that they run there doesn’t impact the files stored on the device. More like a virtual machine bundled with Windows 10, Sandbox is pretty much the easiest way to test applications that you may otherwise be afraid they could make changes to the system.
Beginning with Windows 10 version 2004, Windows Sandbox will support configuration files, which means users can launch it with certain parameters.
More specifically, there are four different settings that can be controlled with scripts in Windows Sandbox:
- vGPU (virtualized GPU)
- Network
- Shared folders
- Startup script
The configuration file is saved in the .wsb format, so you can then easily import the same script on a different system where Windows Sandbox is enabled. Launching a configuration file is as easy as double-clicking it, but it can also be loaded via the command line.
As Microsoft explains, while building a simple script with basic commands is something that’s really easy, IT pros can also create more complex scripts that would combine more tasks to run in the Windows Sandbox.
“Although very simple commands will work (launching an executable or script), more complicated scenarios involving multiple steps should be placed into a script file. This script file may be mapped into the container via a shared folder, and then executed via the LogonCommand directive,” Microsoft says.
Windows 10 version 2004 will roll out to devices in stages, and this is an approach that Microsoft has also used before and which gives the company more control over the release itself, as the company can always suspend it for certain hardware configurations that could be affected by a new bug.
For example, when Microsoft begins shipping the feature update to certain computers and a new issue is discovered, the company then suspends the rollout to the rest of devices featuring the same hardware or software configuration to prevent them from hitting the same bug.
At the same time, Microsoft will also offer alternative download methods, including the Media Creation Tool and the standalone Windows 10 May 2020 Update ISOs.
However, Microsoft will recommend against using these methods of installing the new feature update is certain upgrade blocks are in place, as they could lead to devices experiencing issues. On the other hand, they can be used by power users and IT admins for testing purposes, as the ISO images can be deployed in virtual machines to determine the reliability of the new feature update within a specific organization.
Microsoft is yet to publicly announce the date when the new feature update goes live, but this is expected to happen the next week the latest. Users who are part of the Windows Insider program have already received the final build, so anyone can try it out by enrolled in the Release Preview ring.