In version 3.51.01, I have once again revised how Sandboxie handles the WINSXS mechanism in Windows.

Earlier versions of Sandboxie tries to emulate WINSXS by making copies of folders from the sandboxed C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS folder into the sandboxed application folder. The end result was a lot of duplication of folders with names like MICROSOFT.VC90.CRT, and a mess of .MANIFEST files everywhere. And more importantly, it only worked some of the time, as some complicated installations would also confuse the Sandboxie WINSXS emulation.

I've explained this problem before in a post here:

http://www.sandboxie.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=54570#54570

In version 3.51.01 all of this should work much better as Sandboxie can now run the "real" WINSXS mechanism in the sandbox, instead of trying to emulate it. This means no more duplicated folders, no more .MANIFEST files everywhere, and most importantly -- hopefully more successful installations of software into the sandbox.

This is a major change even though it is behind the scenes, and while I did try to test it extensively, there would likely be a few problems here or there. So please let me know if you find something strange.

Well done tzuk! I have long waited for such a decision. So far no problems watching.

This sounds great, now Sandboxie doesn't have to emulate WinSXS anymore! I only wish I had something to test out this new change!
The only thing I can remember causing me any WinSXS problems recently was the WLM, however since testing it sandboxed I bit the bullet and just installed it unsandboxed instead...

I tried to install WLM in the sandbox on Windows 7 but that didn't seem to work, I think there is a built-in copy of WLM in Windows 7 and that prevents the installation of a sandboxed WLM. Perhaps I can do something about this but it wasn't a priority for me.

Not anymore, atleast not with Windows 7, Microsoft had to remove all the stuff they used to be able to ship with Windows such as Movie Maker, Mail (outlook) and Messenger because of some anti-trust crap, which is why all this stuff is now shipped together as Windows Live Essentials instead.

When I tried to install WLM sandboxed, it told me the service could not be accessed. I assumed that meant I had a copy of WLM installed outside the sandbox. But couldn't find it in the "Programs" Control Panel window. Ok, I'll probably look at this again.