How to use the Windows 10 Sandbox to
safely test apps or if you're looking for a
file to download, so you can visit websites
you don't really trust.
Windows sandox is half app, half
virtual machine.
It lets you quickly
spin up a virtual clean OS imaged from your
system’s current state so that you can test
programs or files in a secure environment
that’s isolated from your main system. When
you close the sandbox, it destroys that
state. Nothing can get from the sandbox to
your main installation of Windows, and
nothing remains after closing it.
All you need is a modern version of
Windows 10 running Windows 10 Professional
or Enterprise—Windows 10 Home doesn’t have
this feature.
The Sandbox feature became
stable back in May 2019.
Enable the Windows Sandbox Feature
After making sure virtualization is
enabled, turning on the Windows Sandbox
feature is a snap.
To do so, head to Control Panel > Programs >
Turn Windows Features On or Off.
In the Windows Features window, enable the
“Windows Sandbox” checkbox.
Click “OK” and then let Windows restart.
After Windows restarts, you can find Windows
Sandbox on the Start Menu.
Either type
“Windows Sandbox” into the search bar or dig
through the menu and then double-click on the
Icon.
When it asks, permit it to have
administrative privileges.
You should then see a
near replica of your current OS.
There are some differences. It’s a clean
Windows installation, so you’ll see the
default wallpaper and nothing but the default
apps that come with Windows.
The virtual OS is dynamically generated from
your main Windows OS, so it will always run the
same version of Windows 10 you are using, and it
will always be fully up to date. That latter
fact is especially nice, as a traditional VM
requires taking the time to update the OS on its
own.
How Do I Use
It?
If you’ve ever used a VM before, then using
the Sandbox will feel like old hat.
You can
copy and paste files directly into the Sandbox
like any other VM. Drag and drop does not work,
though.
Once the file is in the Sandbox, you
can proceed as normal.
If you have an
executable file, you can install it in the
Sandbox where it’s nicely cordoned off from your
main system.
How Do I Use
It?
If you’ve ever used a VM before, then using
the Sandbox will feel like old hat. You can copy
and paste files directly into the Sandbox like
any other VM. Drag and drop does not work,
though. Once the file is in the Sandbox, you can
proceed as normal. If you have an executable
file, you can install it in the Sandbox where
it’s nicely cordoned off from your main system.
One thing to note: If you delete a file in
the Sandbox it does not go the recycle bin.
Instead, it’s permanently deleted. You will
receive a warning when you delete items.
Once you are done with testing, you can close
the Sandbox like any other app.
This will
destroy the snapshot entirely, including any
changes you’ve made to the OS and any files you
copied there.
Microsoft has been kind enough
to provide warning first.
