Key Dates for the Winter ’22 Sandbox Preview
Access new features and test configurations in your sandbox during the upcoming preview window, all before the scheduled production upgrade.
Jacinta Burke
The Winter ’22 sandbox preview window is just around the corner, plan ahead so you know what’s coming and when.
Your production instance will be upgraded to the Winter ’22 release according to the rolling 12-month release calendar on status.salesforce.com. To see your upgrade date, enter your instance name or domain, and click the maintenance tab.
The next thing you need to know is when your sandbox will be upgraded to Winter ’22, this is the first opportunity you’ll get to test your configurations on the new release. Let’s look at this and all the key dates for Winter ’22, so you can mark your calendar.
Now: Join the Release Readiness Trailblazers Community
Join the Release Readiness Trailblazers Community. That’s where available resources are posted and it’s the place to ask questions as you implement new features. If you’re new to managing releases, there’s a Trailhead module to walk you through the process. And, if you sign up with the Getting Started with Release Readiness series, you’ll get step-by-step guidance and tools for creating a personalized release strategy.
August 12: Sign up for a pre-release environment
Why do you need a pre-release org? It’s a test environment with new release features enabled, allowing you plenty of time to test and figure out which ones are right for your organization. Register today for early access to the brand-new features. Sign up, and we’ll send login information for your new Winter ’22 trial account. And, if you’re uncertain what features you want to implement, join the Trailblazer Community Treasure Hunt to see what other customers are excited about.
August 18: Preview release notes are available
Salesforce Help is the new home for the release notes with an improved user experience. Now’s the time to scan the release notes. Use filters to display only the sections that relate to the edition and clouds you use.
August 26: Sandbox cut-off date
Use your sandbox to get early access to new features and test your configurations before the scheduled production upgrade. You must have an active sandbox on a preview instance before August 26, 2021, to get the Winter ’22 preview in your sandbox. In most cases, you don’t need to do anything because your sandbox is already on a preview instance. We’ve moved the sandbox preview instructions article to Salesforce Help so that we can add useful tools and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
August 27 and 28: Sandboxes upgraded
If you’ve decided to take advantage of the sandbox preview, your chosen sandboxes are upgraded to Winter ’22 this weekend. Like the pre-release program, the sandbox preview allows you to test new features without impacting your live environment. However, the added benefit of the sandbox preview is the ability to test new features using a configuration that matches your production environment.
August 27: Winter ’22 release site goes live
The release site is live. We know everyone digests release information differently. That’s why the Release Highlights module on Trailhead is a quick and easy way to learn about features. Whatever your learning style, we offer demo videos, Trailhead modules, community forums, and more, to make the process as easy as possible.
September 10: First release weekend
The first release weekend is when we, here at Salesforce, and a small number of customers get upgraded. At this stage, you probably already have your key features earmarked. If you’re primed for your upgrade, the Release Readiness Trailblazers group will have the content you need to get your organization’s users up to speed on the new features you plan to rollout.
September 10 to 17: Release readiness live broadcast
Save the date! Our admin and developer evangelists kick off the Winter ’22 release with a live broadcast. They’ll share their favorite features from the Winter ’22 release. Then, the product management team will discuss and demo the new features. See how those features work in real-time and get a sneak peek into the roadmap for the rest of the year. Full details on the agenda and schedule will be posted in September in our Release Readiness Trailblazers group.
October 1: Second release weekend
This is when another set of instances gets upgraded. Our Trust page has the latest info on the timing of the upgrade, but because it takes only five minutes, you should not expect the upgrade to impact your operations or uptime.
October 8 and 9: Final release weekend
All remaining Salesforce instances are upgraded on October 8 and 9. If you opt out of including your orgs in the sandbox preview, they will be upgraded this weekend.
Want to get these dates on your calendar? Check out our public release calendar or import it into your calendar of choice.
Additional Sandbox Preview guidance
