Wait… it’s still summer! So why are we talking about the Winter ‘26 release already?
If you’re anything like me, time always seems to fly by faster than expected, and the Winter release will be here before we know it!
Sandbox Preview Cutoff Date
To get a preview of the Winter ‘26 features in your Sandbox, it must be active and on a preview instance by September 4, 2025. The preview window begins on September 5, 2025.
To check if your Sandbox is on a preview instance:
- Go to Setup and type “Sandbox” in the Quick Find box.
- Click on Sandboxes to view the list of Sandboxes in your org.
- Look at the Release Type column.
- If it says Preview, you’re good to go.
- If it says Non-Preview, you’ll need to refresh the Sandbox before the cutoff date to ensure it’s upgraded during the preview window.
Even if you’re already on a preview instance, this might be a good opportunity to refresh your Sandbox if it hasn’t been updated in a while. It always helps to make sure it’s in sync with your production org.
Planning Ahead: Sandbox Refresh Timing
The interval between sandbox refreshes depends on the sandbox type. For example:
- Partial Copy sandboxes can be refreshed every 5 days
- Full sandboxes can only be refreshed every 30 days
It’s important to keep those limits in mind as you plan your refresh around the Winter ’26 preview window. If you’re using a Full sandbox, a smart strategy is to time your refresh near the start or end of each month so you can fit two refreshes in before the cutoff. Here are two sample timelines:
End-of-Month Strategy
- First refresh: July 30
- Second refresh: August 30
Start-of-Month Strategy
- First refresh: August 1 – 4
- Second refresh: September 1 – 4
In both strategies, your sandbox will become a preview instance after the first refresh with room to refresh again before the September 4 cutoff, if needed.
If your sandbox isn’t in a preview instance by the cutoff, it will be upgraded to Winter ’26 on October 10–11, 2025. And any new sandboxes created or refreshed after September 4 will also be placed on a non-preview instance until the upgrade dates.
That also means you can revert a preview sandbox to non-preview by refreshing it again after the cutoff, so make sure to hold off on that final refresh until you’re done testing Winter ’26 or after your production org is upgraded in October.
Production Update
Production orgs are expected to be updated to Winter ‘26 around October 10 and 11, 2025.
To find your specific upgrade date:
- Visit the Salesforce Trust Status page.
Search for your Instance and click the Maintenance tab.
If you’re unsure which Instance your org is on:
- Go to Setup > type “Company Information” into the Quick Find box.
- In the Organization Detail section, look for the Instance field.
Winter ‘26 Release Notes
Salesforce release notes summarize all the updates, changes, and new features included in the release. They’re typically published 3 to 4 weeks before the Sandbox preview begins.
Once they’re available, we at Port & Starboard will review the notes and highlight the features we find useful, helpful, or just plain fun, so be sure to check back soon!
Need Help Getting Ready?
Whether you’re planning a Sandbox refresh, prepping for testing, or just want to understand how the Winter ‘26 changes might impact your org, we’re here to help.
Reach out to our team at Port & Starboard to schedule a consultation or get hands-on support ahead of the release.
