What is Windows Sandbox?
TheWindows Sandboxis a feature that provides users with a completely isolated Windows environment to test in.
Unfortunately, Windows 10 and 11 Home users cant use the feature.
It looks a lot like a virtual machine, but its a little bit different.
For starters, this isnt your typical VM.
Its self-destructing, meaning that when you exit the sandbox, it completely resets.
What Should You Use the Windows Sandbox For?
Lets look at the basics.
First, most users will receive a malware infection because of something that they themselves do.
You might be lucky.
You might find that those infections are picked up by Microsoft Defender (or your own third-party antivirus).
In sandbox mode, however, it doesnt matter.
The infection cant damage anything.
If you see a problem, you’re able to just kill the sandbox app.
The infection is wiped without impacting anything in your main Windows installation.
I use the sandbox mode for any new app I install where I might question its origins or safety.
Ive also used it in the past to open up file attachments, especially with more troublesome file extensions.
Microsofts minimum requirements for a PC capable of running Windows Sandbox include:
Theres also the licensing to consider.
As I mentioned, you cant use the sandbox mode in Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home.
To start with, check that that youveenabled virtualization for your CPUin your BIOS or UEFI menu.
To do this quickly, press theWindows+R, punch in “optionalfeatures”, and press “OK”.
A good example is session hijacking.
A rather famous incident in recent years was theattack on the Linus Tech Tips YouTube channel.
An employee downloaded and opened a rogue PDF file, which contained rogue code.
Mayhem ensued, but it didnt have to be that way.
The moral of the story?
Use the sandbox as a sandbox for one thing at a time.
If you want to test a file, you should only open that file.
When you want to run your sandbox without online grid access, just double-snag the file.
Itll run with that configuration, with access to your PCs data pipe adapter blocked entirely.
Cant Use Windows Sandbox?
It wont be self-destructing, but the same principles can still apply.
Just open up Windows Sandbox instead.
