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SPECIFICTION
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Microsoft Dev Box

devbox.microsoft.com

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Spec score 7.4 #25 of 27 in Cloud Development Environments

What it is

Microsoft Dev Box provides developers self-service access to ready-to-code cloud workstations. Organizations can configure environments using YAML image definitions, custom Azure Compute Gallery images, or Azure Marketplace images. Developers can manage multiple boxes through a portal for separate projects, workloads, or tasks. Administrators can use autostop schedules and hibernation to control costs, and 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 networks. Users can connect with Windows App on listed desktop and mobile systems or through a browser. Windows Subsystem for Linux is supported for Linux development scenarios. Dev Box is in maintenance mode, with no additional features planned, and Microsoft recommends Windows 365 for virtualized developer environments. The service fully retires at 17:00 UTC on September 18, 2028; its closing-down period begins at 16:00 UTC on September 14, 2026. It requires work or school accounts, not personal accounts or guest access through Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Microsoft Dev Box provides developers self-service access to ready-to-code cloud workstations.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Security
Dev Box disks are encrypted by default with a platform-managed key.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · devbox.microsoft.com
Founded
1975Read 28 Sep 2026 · devbox.microsoft.com
Account limitation
Microsoft Dev Box supports work and school accounts but does not support personal accounts or guest access through Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Connectivity
Users can connect through Windows App on Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android/Chrome OS preview, or through a web browser.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Cost controls
Platform engineers and project administrators can use autostop schedules and hibernation to control costs.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Developer workflow
Developers can create and manage multiple dev boxes through the self-service developer portal for separate projects, workloads, or tasks.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Environment configuration
Organizations can configure dev boxes with YAML image definitions, Azure Compute Gallery custom images, or Azure Marketplace images.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
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.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Intune integration
Every provisioned dev box automatically enrolls in Microsoft Intune for device configuration, app deployment, updates, and management.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
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.Read 1 Oct 2026 · azure.microsoft.com
Linux support
Microsoft Dev Box supports Windows Subsystem for Linux for Linux development scenarios.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Maintenance status
Microsoft Dev Box is in maintenance mode with no additional features planned, and Microsoft recommends Windows 365 for virtualized developer environments.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
Network integration
Dev Box supports Microsoft-hosted network connections and customer-managed Azure network connections with Azure virtual network security and routing features.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com
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.Read 1 Oct 2026 · learn.microsoft.com

Plans and prices

Microsoft Dev Box instance (SKU-dependent) Price not published Monthly or hourly pricing options per Dev Box instance 8–32 vCPU · 32–128 GB RAM · 256 GB–2,048 GB storage Read 1 Oct 2026 · azure.microsoft.com

Every Microsoft Dev Box plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Multiple boxes can be managed for separate projects
  • Supports YAML and Azure image configuration
  • Autostop schedules and hibernation provide cost controls
  • Disks are encrypted by default

Limits

  • No additional features are planned
  • Fully retires September 18, 2028
  • Personal accounts and guest access are unsupported
  • Each user needs specified Windows, Intune, and Entra licenses

Who it suits

It suits organizations that need configurable cloud workstations for developers and can meet the stated account and licensing requirements. Its maintenance status and retirement schedule are important for teams considering adoption.

Verdict

Dev Box offers configurable cloud workstations with administrative controls and multiple connection options. Its maintenance mode and scheduled retirement make its remaining service period a central consideration.

Where Specifiction places it

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