4.7.3

Locating the ThinApp Sandbox 22
The sandbox is the directory where all changes that the captured application makes are stored.
The next time you start the application, those changes are incorporated from the sandbox. When you delete
the sandbox directory, the application reverts to its captured state.
Search Order for the Sandbox
During startup of the captured application, ThinApp searches for an existing sandbox in specific locations and
in a specific order.
ThinApp uses the first sandbox it detects. If ThinApp cannot find an existing sandbox, ThinApp creates one
according to certain environment variable and parameter settings. Review the search order and sandbox
creation logic before changing the placement of the sandbox.
Only one computer can use a shared sandbox at a time. If a computer is already using a sandbox, ThinApp
creates a new sandbox to allow you to continue working until the previous copy of the sandbox closes.
Search Order Variables
The search order uses Mozilla Firefox 3.0 as an example with the following variables:
n
sandbox_name is Mozilla Firefox 3.0
The SandboxName parameter in the Package.ini file determines the name. See .
n
sandbox_path is Z:\sandboxes
The SandboxPath parameter in the Package.ini file determines the path. See .
n
exe_directory is C:\Program Files\Firefox
The application runs from this location.
n
computer_name is JOHNDOE-COMPUTER
n
%AppData% is C:\Documents and Settings\JohnDoe\Application Data
ThinApp requests the Application Data folder location from the operating system. The location depends
on the operating system or configuration.
Environment Variables
ThinApp starts the sandbox search by trying to find the following environment variables in this order:
%<sandbox_name>_SA
NDBOX_DIR%
This environment variable changes the sandbox location for specific
applications on the computer.
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