How to Use Windows 10 Sandbox

Edited 5 minutes ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Windows 10 Sandbox is a very useful tool provided by Microsoft for users who want to safely run untrusted applications or open suspicious files without compromising the main operating system. Windows Sandbox provides a lightweight, isolated, and temporary desktop environment that is specially designed for this purpose. It provides a safe space where you can execute files without affecting your actual system. Once you turn off the sandbox, it discards all the work you have done and shuts down activities all together leaving no permanent impact on your actual system.

What you need to know before using Windows 10 Sandbox

Before learning how to use Windows Sandbox, it is important to understand some of the prerequisites and configurations required to use this tool effectively. Windows Sandbox is available on Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions, which means users of Home editions will not be able to use this feature. Additionally, your computer must support virtualization. You can check this in your system's BIOS/UEFI settings and make sure it is enabled. Apart from this, Windows Sandbox demands at least 4GB of RAM (though 8GB is recommended), 1GB of free disk space, and at least 2 CPU cores (4 would be better).

How to enable the Windows 10 sandbox

To start using Windows Sandbox, it is first necessary to enable it on your Windows system. Follow these steps to enable it:

1. Step 1: Click the Start menu and open Control Panel. You can also type "Control Panel" in the search bar next to the Start button and select it from the results.
2. Step 2: Go to Programs and then select Turn Windows features on or off.
3. Step 3: In the list that appears, scroll down and find Windows Sandbox. Check the box next to it.
4. Step 4: Click OK to confirm your choice and wait while Windows installs the necessary features.
5. Step 5: You may be asked to restart your computer after the installation is complete, so save all work and follow the instructions.

How to launch Windows 10 Sandbox

After enabling Windows Sandbox, launching it is easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Step 1: Open the Start Menu and type Windows Sandbox in the search bar.
2. Step 2: Click on the Windows Sandbox app from the search results to start it.
3. Step 3: Once it opens, you will see a new, clean desktop environment. This is your sandbox environment, which acts like a fresh installation of Windows.

Using the Windows 10 Sandbox

After entering the sandbox environment, you can start testing applications or opening files. You can proceed as follows:

1. Step 1: Copy the application or file you want to try into the sandbox. You can do this by dragging the file from your original desktop into the sandbox window.
2. Step 2: Once the file is in the sandbox environment, run it as you would on your regular desktop. This allows you to test how the file behaves.
3. Step 3: Observe the application's behavior and note any errors, malware risks, or activities that seem suspicious.
4. Step 4: After completing your test, simply close the sandbox window to end the session. Doing so will permanently erase all the content inside the sandbox.

Benefits of using Windows 10 Sandbox

There are several advantages to using the Windows 10 Sandbox:

• Security: Testing in an isolated environment ensures that your main system will remain intact and unaffected even if the software is harmful.
• No remnants: Every time the sandbox is closed, its contents are completely deleted. This means there's no need to worry about extra files cluttering up your real system.
• User-friendly: Sandboxie uses a familiar Windows interface, making it easy to navigate for anyone familiar with Windows 10.
• Integration: Being built into Windows 10, it does not require third-party software and has no compatibility issues.

Limitations of the Windows 10 Sandbox

As with any tool, there are a few limitations to keep in mind when using the Windows 10 Sandbox:

• Temporary: The sandbox is not designed to retain data from one session to the next. Every time you start the sandbox, it is a new environment.
• Hardware Requirements: It requires a significant amount of resources, including CPU cores and RAM, to operate efficiently.
• Edition Availability: Only available with Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions.

Practical example

Consider a situation where you have downloaded .exe software from an untrusted website. Before running it on your main system, you decide to use Windows Sandbox to ensure it is free from viruses or malware.

1. Step 1: Launch the downloaded .exe file and then drag it from your main desktop to the sandbox environment.
2. Step 2: Execute the software within the sandbox and closely monitor its behavior.
3. Step 3: If the software displays any suspicious behavior, simply close the sandbox. The potentially harmful software will be removed when the sandbox session ends.

Conclusion

Windows 10 Sandbox offers an incredible solution for those who want to run untested software safely without putting their entire system at risk. Whether you're a developer, an IT professional, or just a regular computer user, this tool can enhance your security processes by allowing you to detect potential risk areas without any consequences. Although there are some constraints regarding system requirements and availability, its benefits are undeniably significant, providing peace of mind for individuals concerned about the security of their data. After reading this detailed discussion of Windows 10 Sandbox, you should now be able to confidently use this tool as needed in your daily tasks.

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