Setting up a Microsoft 365 Sandbox in Less Than 5 Minutes (upd 2024)

Setting up a sandbox environment is a powerful tool for testing new platforms that integrate with Microsoft 365. If you're not familiar with this hidden gem, Microsoft offers a complete Microsoft 365 setup with 25 users, each equipped with E5 licenses (the premium tier), all for free.

It lasts for 90 days, and the use is limited to testing and development. However, the requirements to obtain a sandbox aren’t always clearly documented elsewhere and so, here are three easy steps to get you going. The second part of the article contains more information for you to dig into.

Updated Eligibility Requirements:

As of February 2024, Microsoft has restricted access to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and the creation of free E5 test tenants to developers and organizations with active Visual Studio Enterprise subscriptions. Users without a Visual Studio Enterprise subscription can no longer create a Microsoft 365 developer subscription.

Who is Eligible for a Microsoft 365 E5 Developer Subscription?

Not all members of the Microsoft 365 Developer Program automatically qualify for an E5 developer subscription. The following individuals and organizations are eligible:

1. Visual Studio Subscribers: Any Visual Studio subscriber with a standard Professional, standard Enterprise, or monthly Enterprise subscription qualifies for a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription that renews automatically.
2. Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Participants: Certain participants in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program can contact their Microsoft partner to be added to an allow list for receiving access to a developer subscription. These participants include: ISV Success, Solutions Partner, Specialization/Expert, Managed Partners, Premier or Unified Support plan members
3. New Verification Process (Pilot): Microsoft is piloting a new verification process to allow more member types to qualify for a subscription. Under this new process, developer program members can request a Microsoft 365 E5 subscription, undergo a validation procedure, and receive an invitation to set up their subscription. To stay informed about the latest updates regarding this pilot program, follow the Microsoft 365 developer blog.

It's important to note that even if you don't initially qualify for a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription, you can still join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and access various resources, tools, and community support to help you build solutions for the Microsoft 365 platform.

Sign Up for the Microsoft 365 Developer Program

Before you request a developer subscription, you must first join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program directly or through Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise (if you're a subscriber).

How to Set Up a Microsoft 365 Developer Sandbox

Qualifying Microsoft 365 Developer Program members can set up a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription for use in building solutions independent of your production environment. The Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox subscription includes 25 user licenses and lasts for up to 90 days, depending on your activity. If you use your subscription for valid development activity, it will renew automatically. Commercial transactions, including purchasing paid services, are not currently supported.

Which Are the Types of Sandboxes I Can Use?

Microsoft offers two types of sandboxes for qualifying members of the Microsoft 365 Developer Program:

Instant Sandbox: This option comes pre-provisioned with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Office, and sample data. It includes licenses for 24 test users plus one admin and the latest Microsoft 365 apps. The domain name cannot be customized.

Configurable Sandbox: This option allows you to customize your domain name but comes as an empty sandbox that you must populate with sample data. It can take up to two days to provision.

How to Set Up Your Microsoft 365 E5 Sandbox Subscription

To set up your Microsoft 365 E5 sandbox subscription:

1. Choose between an instant sandbox or a configurable sandbox.
2. Provide the required information, such as country/region, admin username and password, and a valid cell phone number for verification.
3. If you're a Visual Studio subscriber, link your subscription.
4. After the subscription is created, your subscription domain name and expiration date will appear on your profile page.

Alternatives for Testing

For users who do not qualify for an E5 tenant, Microsoft advises acquiring a single-license Microsoft plan for testing purposes.  

Additionally, members of specific Microsoft partner programs, such as ISV Success, Solutions Partner, Specialization/Expert Managed Partners, and Premier or Unified Support plan members, can still receive access to developer subscriptions by contacting their Microsoft partner.

Validate your Sandbox with Alcion

Your instant sandbox comes populated with data including emails, calendars, and SharePoint sites. Now you are all set to try it with Alcion. Just go over to app.alcion.ai, log in with your sandbox credentials, and you will be off to the races. You can both validate your sandbox and start your first backups within 5-10 minutes! Seriously, try it out.

Questions and Limitations

Remember that the sandbox will only stick around for 90 days (although you can often renew it), and it is restricted to development and testing. If you have questions, find us on Discord!

--- Part #2 (If you need more help please continue reading. ) ---

How to Integrate Alcion with the Free Microsoft 365 E5 Instant Sandbox Environment

Check out a Quick video or follow our Quick Start guide below.

Step 1: Sign Up for Alcion

Step 2: Login with Microsoft Credentials: Use your Microsoft 365 developer program credentials to log into Alcion. Alcion uses OAuth for secure authentication, requiring no additional login setup. Ensure you review and approve these permissions, which are necessary for Alcion to perform backups and restorations.

Step 3: Continue reading our Quick Start guide.

Microsoft 365 Developer Program: Areas of Interest

When you sign up for the program, you're asked to select your "Areas of Interest." These areas guide the type of resources, updates, and tailored content you might receive as part of the program. They can include, but are not limited to, the following options:

• Microsoft Graph: This is the one we used in our use case. The Graph API allows developers to integrate and manage access to data, insights, and intelligence across Microsoft 365 services with a unified API endpoint.
• Teams Development: This option is specifically designed for developers working on apps or integrations for Microsoft Teams. It enables customization and extension of Teams capabilities for collaboration and communication.
• SharePoint Framework: If you plan to build web parts, extensions, and applications for SharePoint and SharePoint Online this area of interest is for you.
• Office Add-ins: This option is about the development of add-ins that extend and enhance the capabilities of Office applications like Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Outlook Development: Focuses on extending Outlook through add-ins and integrations, enhancing email and calendar functionalities.
• Power Platform: Covers building solutions using Power Apps, Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow), Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents.
• Security and Compliance: It is about leveraging Microsoft 365 security and compliance features to build secure applications, manage risk, and protect data.
• Education: Focuses on developing solutions tailored for educational institutions, teachers, and students using Microsoft 365 Education tools and services.
• Windows Development: If you are developing applications for Windows devices or integrating your apps with the Windows ecosystem, this area of interest is relevant to you. Relates to building applications for Windows 10 and Windows Server, including UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps and desktop applications.

What Do I Get The Free Microsoft 365 E5 Instant Sandbox?

As of February 2024, access to the Free Microsoft 365 E5 Instant Sandbox is limited to developers and organizations with active subscriptions to Visual Studio Enterprise. If you qualify for the sandbox, you will receive:

• Pre-provisioned environment: The instant sandbox comes with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Office, and sample data pre-installed.  
• User licenses: It includes licenses for 24 test users plus one admin and the latest Microsoft 365 apps.  
• Sample data packs: The instant sandbox includes pre-installed sample data packs that simulate a small corporate environment, including fictitious users, metadata, and photos.  
• Microsoft Graph API access: Developers can connect their applications to various Microsoft services and data using the Microsoft Graph API.  
• Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS): Features like Azure Active Directory Premium P1, Intune, Information Protection, and Advanced Threat Analytics are included in the sandbox.
• Subscription duration: The sandbox is available for up to 90 days, depending on your development activity. Active usage may result in automatic renewal.

Please note that the instant sandbox does not allow for domain name customization. If you require a configurable sandbox with a custom domain name, you may need to explore alternative options, such as purchasing a single-license Microsoft plan for testing purposes or contacting your Microsoft partner if you are a member of specific partner programs.

Remember that the sandbox is restricted to development and testing purposes only.

Should I Choose an Instant Sandbox or a Configurable Sandbox?

Choosing between an instant sandbox and a configurable sandbox in the Microsoft 365 Developer Program depends on your needs.  

The instant sandbox offers a quick setup with pre-provisioned Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and Office, including licenses for 24 test users plus one admin, pre-installed sample data, and no option to customize your domain name.  

The configurable sandbox allows for domain name customization and requires manual sample data installation, which can take up to two days to provision.  

Both options are aimed at development purposes only and include 25 user licenses. For more detailed guidance, visit Microsoft Learn.

What Happens After the 90-day Sandbox Period Ends?

If you're actively using your subscription for development, it will be automatically renewed for another 60-90 days. Microsoft uses algorithms and telemetry to determine if you are actively developing and if your subscription should be extended.

If you're not using your subscription for valid development activities, your subscription will expire after 90 days. After expiration, you have a 30-day grace period to migrate any data. For the next 30 days after that (60 days total from expiration), only the admin will have access to the subscription. On day 60 after expiration, the subscription and all data will be deleted.

Extension of the Sandbox

The only way to extend your subscription is to engage in valid development activity. Microsoft uses a set of algorithms and telemetry data from your activity in the Microsoft 365 Developer Program and on your Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription to determine whether you are actively developing. They check these regularly to update your status and determine whether your subscription should be extended.  

Some examples of development activities that Microsoft tracks include:  

• API calls made for development purposes
• Deploying and testing applications within the sandbox environment
• Using the sandbox for active development rather than passive or production use  

If you're not using your subscription to develop custom solutions, your subscription will expire and will eventually be deleted. It's important to note that you cannot manually extend your subscription. The extension is based solely on Microsoft's assessment of your development activity within the sandbox.

Options if the Sandbox Expires

If your Microsoft 365 E5 Developer Sandbox subscription expires due to inactivity, you have a few options:  

• Data Migration: You have a 30-day grace period after expiration to migrate any important data from your sandbox environment. It's crucial to backup or migrate any critical data, such as custom code, configurations, or test data, during this time.  
• Admin Access: For the next 30 days after the initial grace period (60 days total from expiration), only the admin account will have access to the subscription. This gives you a final opportunity to retrieve any remaining data before the subscription is permanently deleted.  
• Set Up a New Sandbox: If your subscription is deleted due to inactivity, you can set up a new sandbox after a 60-day waiting period. However, all data and configurations from your previous sandbox will be lost, so you'll need to start fresh with a new environment.  
• Use Alternative Development Environments: If you don't qualify for a new sandbox or need immediate access to a development environment, consider using alternative options, such as: - Visual Studio subscriptions, which include ongoing access to a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription - A free Azure trial account for development and testing - A paid Microsoft 365 E5 subscription for more permanent, non-sandbox environments

Tips and Best Practices Related to Setting Up and Using a Microsoft 365 Sandbox Environment

Setting up and using a Microsoft 365 Sandbox environment can be an essential step in developing applications for the platform. To make the most of your sandbox experience, consider the following tips and best practices:

1. Plan your testing strategy: Before you start developing or testing your application, take some time to plan your testing strategy. Identify the key features and functionalities that you want to test and create a list of scenarios and use cases that will help you evaluate their performance in a real-world experience.
2. Choose the Right Sandbox Type: Decide between an instant sandbox or a configurable sandbox based on your needs. Instant sandboxes are pre-configured and ready to use quickly, while configurable sandboxes allow for more customization but require more setup time.
3. Use Sample Data Packs: Microsoft provides sample data packs that can simulate a realistic corporate environment. Using these packs can save you time and effort in setting up test data and users.
4. Implement security measures: To protect your data and users, implement security measures like Azure Backup (AAB) service. This service allows you to store copies of your user data and other essentials in an encrypted format, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access and use them.
5. Troubleshoot common issues: When setting up or using a Microsoft 365 Sandbox environment, you may encounter common issues. Some examples include difficulties with the Azure Active Directory (AADD) service, authentication problems, or issues related to the configuration of your sandbox. To address these issues effectively and efficiently, make sure you are familiar with the process and understand how they can be resolved.
6. Keep Your Sandbox Updated: Regularly update your sandbox environment with the latest features, security patches, and sample data packs to ensure you're developing with the most current tools and technologies.
7. Develop Actively: To keep your sandbox subscription active, make sure to use it regularly for valid development activities. Consistent API calls, application testing, and active usage will help ensure your subscription is automatically renewed.
8. Monitor Your Subscription: Keep an eye on your subscription expiration date and renewal status. If you're running into issues or need more time, reach out to Microsoft support or the community for guidance.
9. Backup Your Data: Regularly backup any critical data, code, or configurations from your sandbox environment. This is especially important if your subscription is nearing expiration, and you need to migrate your data.
10. Collaborate with Others: If you're working with a team, consider setting up a shared sandbox environment for collaboration. You can use the built-in user accounts and access controls to manage permissions and access.  
11. Leverage the Community: Engage with the Microsoft 365 Developer Program community to learn from others, share your experiences, and get support when needed. The community is a valuable resource for best practices, troubleshooting, and staying up to date with the latest developments.  
12. Explore Additional Resources: Take advantage of the various resources provided by Microsoft, such as documentation, tutorials, and webinars, to deepen your understanding of Microsoft 365 development and make the most of your sandbox environment.

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This article was originally published in July 2023 by Niraj Tolia and has also had contributions from the Alcion team. The most recent update was in May 2024.

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