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Microsoft Dev Box
Redmond, Washington, USA
What it is
Microsoft Dev Box provides developers with self-service access to ready-to-code cloud workstations. Developers can create and manage multiple boxes for separate projects, workloads, or tasks, while organizations configure environments using YAML image definitions, Azure Compute Gallery images, or Azure Marketplace images. Platform engineers and project administrators can use autostop schedules and hibernation to control costs. Each provisioned box automatically enrolls in Microsoft Intune; identity uses Microsoft Entra ID, with optional on-premises Active Directory Domain Services support. Disks are encrypted by default with a platform-managed key. Network choices include Microsoft-hosted connections and customer-managed Azure connections. Users can connect through Windows App on supported devices or a web browser, and Dev Box supports Windows Subsystem for Linux. The service is in maintenance mode, with no additional features planned, and Microsoft recommends Windows 365 for virtualized developer environments. Dev Box fully retires at 17:00 UTC on September 18, 2028; its closing-down period starts at 16:00 UTC on September 14, 2026. Work or school accounts are required; personal accounts and guest access through Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration are unsupported. Each user also needs Windows Enterprise, Intune, and Entra ID P1 licenses.
For and against
For
- Multiple dev boxes for separate projects
- YAML and Azure image configuration options
- Autostop schedules and hibernation
- Default disk encryption
- Windows Subsystem for Linux support
Against
- No free plan
- Maintenance mode; no additional features planned
- Personal accounts and guest access unsupported
- Service retires September 18, 2028
The verdict
Dev Box offers configurable cloud workstations with identity, management, and network controls for organizations. It is in maintenance mode and has a stated retirement date, so those limits should factor into any decision.
Who it suits
Dev Box is for organizations that need cloud workstations for developers and can use work or school accounts with the required licenses. Its maintenance status and scheduled retirement are important considerations for anyone evaluating it.
Plans and prices
Microsoft Dev Box instance (SKU-dependent)
8–32 vCPU · 32–128 GB RAM · 256 GB–2,048 GB storage
Read 1 Oct 2026 · azure.microsoft.com
On the record
- Account limitation
- Microsoft Dev Box supports work and school accounts but does not support personal accounts or guest access through Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Connectivity
- Users can connect through Windows App on Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS preview, or through a web browser.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Cost controls
- Platform engineers and project administrators can use autostop schedules and hibernation to control costs.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Developer workflow
- Developers can create and manage multiple dev boxes through the self-service developer portal for separate projects, workloads, or tasks.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Environment configuration
- Organizations can configure dev boxes with YAML image definitions, Azure Compute Gallery custom images, or Azure Marketplace images.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Identity and access
- Dev Box uses Microsoft Entra ID and can optionally use on-premises Active Directory Domain Services for identity, domain join, and RDP authentication.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Intune integration
- Every provisioned dev box automatically enrolls in Microsoft Intune for device configuration, app deployment, updates, and management.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Licensing requirement
- Each user needs Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft Entra ID P1 licenses, which can be included in specified Microsoft 365 subscriptions.azure.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- Microsoft Dev Box supports Windows Subsystem for Linux for Linux development scenarios.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Maintenance status
- Microsoft Dev Box is in maintenance mode with no additional features planned, and Microsoft recommends Windows 365 for virtualized developer environments.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Network integration
- Dev Box supports Microsoft-hosted network connections and customer-managed Azure network connections with Azure virtual network security and routing features.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Microsoft Dev Box provides developers self-service access to ready-to-code cloud workstations.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Retirement
- Microsoft Dev Box fully retires at 17:00 UTC on September 18, 2028, with its closing-down period beginning at 16:00 UTC on September 14, 2026.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- Dev Box disks are encrypted by default with a platform-managed key.learn.microsoft.com · read 1 Oct 2026
