> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PC Sandbox Switcher (XblPCSandbox.exe)

> Command-line XblPCSandbox.exe tool that shows, switches, and relaunches PC apps in XBOX services sandboxes, including the Microsoft Store and XBOX App.

XblPCSandbox.exe is a command-line tool that manages the XBOX services sandbox on PC. Use it to:

* Show the current sandbox.
* Switch to a development sandbox or back to RETAIL.
* Relaunch system apps (Microsoft Store and XBOX App) in sandbox mode.

## Getting started

After installing the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK), open a GDK command prompt and run the tool from there. You can find the GDK command prompts performing the following actions:

1. Open the **Start** menu and search for **Microsoft GDK Command Prompts**.
2. Open the shortcut from the **Microsoft GDK Command Prompts** folder (select the latest GDK version installed)

This tool is also provided as part of the GDK and `XboxLiveTools.zip`; see [Development tools for XBOX services](/tools/tools-services/live-tools).

<Info>Setting the sandbox requires **elevated privileges** (Run as administrator). If you run the tool without elevated privileges, it will attempt to rerun in an elevated state. Reading the sandbox (`/get`) and showing help (`/?`) don't require elevation.</Info>

## Command and options reference

```cmd theme={null}
Usage: XblPCSandbox [command] [options]
```

| Command             | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `/get`              | Display the current sandbox. If no sandbox is set, the device is in RETAIL.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| `/set <sandbox ID>` | Set the sandbox (for example, `XDKS.1`). Restarts the XBOX Live Auth Manager and relaunches any **open** system apps in sandbox mode. If you want to switch the sandbox back to RETAIL, use 'RETAIL' as the sandbox name, or the equivalent /retail option described below. Supports /noApps. |
| `/launchApps`       | Relaunch the Microsoft Store and XBOX App in sandbox mode—but only if they're already open. Useful after a `/noApps` switch.                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `/retail`           | Equivalent to `XblPCSandbox RETAIL`. A convenience switch that resets the device to the default consumer sandbox.                                                                                                                                                                             |
| `/feedback`         | Opens the Feedback Hub so you can report issues or provide feedback about the sandbox switching experience.                                                                                                                                                                                   |

| Options    | Description                                                                                                                                   |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `/?`       | Show help information for all available commands and options, including troubleshooting tips and a link to the troubleshooting documentation. |
| `/help`    | Same as `/?`.                                                                                                                                 |
| `/noApps`  | Set the sandbox **without** relaunching system apps. Use `xblPCSandbox /launchApps` afterward to relaunch them in sandbox mode when ready.    |
| `/version` | Shows the version information for the xblPCSandbox command line tool.                                                                         |

## Getting the current sandbox

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /get
```

Displays the current XBOX services sandbox. If no sandbox is set, the device is in **RETAIL**.

## Setting the sandbox

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /set <sandbox ID>
```

Sets the XBOX services sandbox for the device. For example: `XblPCSandbox /set XDKS.1`

When setting the sandbox, the tool:

1. Displays the **current sandbox** before the switch.
2. Shows a **progress spinner** while the switch is in progress.
3. Restarts the **XBOX Live Auth Manager** service.
4. Relaunches the following **system apps** in sandbox mode—but only if they're already open:
   * Microsoft Store
   * XBOX App
5. Displays the **new sandbox** after the switch, so you can immediately confirm it was applied.

If a system app is **not open** at the time of the switch, it is **not launched** automatically.

<Note>The tool automatically corrects the casing of sandbox names. For example, typing `xdks.1` will be corrected to `XDKS.1`.
This reduces errors caused by case sensitivity, since sandbox names are in uppercase.</Note>

### Setting the sandbox without relaunching apps

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /set <sandbox ID> /noApps
```

Sets the sandbox without relaunching system apps. You can later relaunch them using:

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /apps
```

## Switching back to RETAIL

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /retail
```

or

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /set RETAIL
```

Resets the device to the default consumer sandbox. Restarts the XBOX Live Auth Manager and relaunches any open system apps (Microsoft Store and XBOX App) back to normal mode.

<Tip>You need to switch back to RETAIL to update the XBOX App or Gaming Services from the Microsoft Store. These apps can't receive updates while in a development sandbox.</Tip>

## Launching system apps in sandbox mode

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /apps
```

Relaunches the Microsoft Store and XBOX App in sandbox mode—but only if they're already open. This is useful after switching sandboxes with the `/noApps` option.

## Showing help

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /?
```

Shows help information for all available commands and options. The help text also includes troubleshooting suggestions and a link to the [Troubleshooting sign-in and sandbox errors](/services/xbox-services/develop/troubleshooting/live-troubleshoot-sandboxes) documentation.

## Providing feedback

```cmd theme={null}
XblPCSandbox /feedback
```

Opens the Feedback Hub directly so you can report issues or provide feedback about the sandbox switching experience.

## See also

* [Sandboxes overview](/services/xbox-services/fundamentals/sandboxes/live-setup-sandbox)
* [Advanced sandboxes overview](/services/xbox-services/fundamentals/sandboxes/live-advanced-sandboxes)
* [Troubleshooting sign-in and sandbox errors](/services/xbox-services/develop/troubleshooting/live-troubleshoot-sandboxes)
* [Test accounts](/services/xbox-services/develop/test-accounts/live-test-accounts)
* [Development tools for XBOX services](/tools/tools-services/live-tools)


## Related topics

- [XBOX services sandboxes overview](/services/xbox-services/fundamentals/sandboxes/live-setup-sandbox.md)
- [GDK features not in Steamworks](/build/steam-porting-guide/gdk-features-not-in-steamworks.md)
- [Development tools for XBOX services](/tools/tools-services/live-tools.md)
- [Tools for XBOX services](/tools/tools-services/live-tools-nav.md)
- [Live services tools for XBOX and PlayFab](/tools/tools-services/index.md)