How to Enable Windows 10 Sandbox to Safely Test Apps

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In this article, you will learn how to enable sandbox mode in Windows 10. The purpose of the sandboxes is that they help developers test their apps without having any direct interaction with user data or files. You can use a limited amount of memory and CPU power within the sandboxed area. Even though it’s not recommended by Microsoft for general usage, there are still instances where a developer might need to run tests on an older version of their app using the old code base before moving forward with development

Microsoft has released a new feature for Windows 10 that allows developers to test their apps in the sandbox. The “windows sandbox” is a feature that can be enabled by using the following command line:.

How to Enable Windows 10 Sandbox to Safely Test Apps

It’s never been easier to run programs securely! Because it’s included in Windows 10, there’s no need to set up a virtual machine. You may use Windows 10 sandbox mode to establish a secure, isolated environment in which to test applications.

You’ll discover how to activate Windows 10 Sandbox mode and how to utilize it to test programs in this post.

Prerequisites

  1. Build 18305 or later of Windows 10 Professional, Education, or Enterprise. Windows 10 Professional version 19043 is used in this tutorial.
  2. A Windows x64 computer with at least 4GB of RAM, 1GB of free storage space, and two CPU cores is required.
  3. Support for hardware virtualization

What is the Sandbox in Windows 10?

The Windows 10 Sandbox is a lightweight, temporary environment for running apps in complete isolation. The program operates in a compartmentalized region on your PC that is fully distinct from your host Windows 10 installation in a sandboxed environment.

The sandbox is similar to a temporary Windows installation. Everything within the sandbox gets gone when you shut it. Every time you start a new sandbox, it creates a whole new instance.

The Windows 10 Sandbox employs hardware-based virtualization to create a safe environment with its own kernel that manages system resources using the integrated kernel scheduler.

Hardware Virtualization Validation

You must activate Windows 10 sandbox since it makes advantage of your computer’s hardware virtualization capabilities. Many PC manufacturers enable this function by default, but it’s crucial to double-check and explicitly activate it if required.

You may use the Task Manager and the command line to see whether your PC has hardware Enabled virtualization. Both ideas are viable and based on your own tastes.

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to verify the status of hardware virtualization on your computer. Then choose the Performance tab. Take note of the Virtualization field’s value, which is given below. You’re good to go if the value is Enabled. If not, continue reading for instructions on how to activate it.

Using Task Manager to see whether virtualization is enabledUsing Task Manager to see whether virtualization is enabled

You may also use the command line to see whether hardware virtualization is enabled. To do so, enter systeminfo into a command prompt. Continue scrolling down until you reach the Hyper-V Requirements section. A field titled Enabled virtualization In Firmware may be found in this section. Continue reading if the answer is no.

Enabled virtualizationEnabled virtualization

Hardware Virtualization Enablement

This guide will not be able to offer precise instructions if your computer does not support virtualization. Each PC vendor has its own method for enabling hardware virtualization. If you have a Dell, HP, or Lenovo computer, though, you’ll find some easy instructions below on how to activate it.

When your computer is first starting up:

  • Dell – To enter the BIOS/UEFI configuration, press the F2 key and go to the Advanced tab, where you should find Virtualization.
  • HP – To enter the BIOS/UEFI setup, press the F10 key and go to the System Configuration panel, where you should find a Virtualization option.
  • Lenovo is a company that manufactures computers. To enter the BIOS/UEFI configuration, press the F1 key and go to the Security tab, where you should notice a Virtualization option.

Sandbox Mode in Windows 10: Installing and Enabling

Once you’ve ensured you have hardware Enabled virtualization, it’s time to install Windows Sandbox! To do that, you have two options; either using Control Panel or PowerShell. Like with hardware virtualization, each method performs the same task but is up to you to decide your preferred way.

Using the Control Panel to install Windows Sandbox

You’ll need to activate a special Windows feature to install Windows Sandbox from the Control Panel. Let’s get started right now.

1. Open the Start menu and type appwiz.cpl into the search box. The appwiz.cpl option should appear in the Start menu as a result of this activity. To access Programs and Features, click on it.

2. From the menu on the left side of the window, choose Windows Features may be turned on or off..

Windows Features may be turned on or off.Windows Features may be turned on or off.

3. Scroll down until you see Windows Sandbox in the The Features dialog box in Windows. Select it and click OK after you’ve found it.

The Features dialog box in WindowsThe Features dialog box in Windows

When you try to activate the Windows Sandbox function, a popup should appear that looks for and installs the appropriate files. The installation should be finished in a few minutes.

After you’ve finished, click Restart now to you should restart your computer.

 you should restart your computeryou should restart your computer

Using PowerShell to install Windows Sandbox

You may also use PowerShell to activate Windows 10 sandbox mode if you prefer the command line. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Log in as an administrator to PowerShell.

How to Run PowerShell as an Administrator is a related topic.

2. To activate the Windows Sandbox feature, use the Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature cmdlet as shown below. The All argument instructs the cmdlet to install all optional feature’s parent features, while the Online parameter instructs the cmdlet to look at the currently operating Windows instance rather than an image.

Containers-DisposableClientVM is the DISM name for the functionality in PowerShell.

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName “Containers-DisposableClientVM” -All -Online Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName “Containers-DisposableClientVM” -All -Online

An overlay with a progress bar should appear, showing that the entered command is being executed.

Using PowerShell to enable Windows SandboxUsing PowerShell to enable Windows Sandbox

3. When prompted, hit Enter to you should restart your computer to apply the changes.

After activating Windows Sandbox, you'll be prompted to restart your computer.After activating Windows Sandbox, you’ll be prompted to restart your computer.

Using Sandbox Mode on Windows 10

Let’s put Windows Sandbox to the test now that you’ve activated it.

Search for sandbox in your Start menu. A Windows Sandbox program should now appear. To start a new Windows Sandbox instance, click that.

Windows Sandbox took less than three minutes to open on a seven-year-old PC!

Using the Start Menu to launch Windows SandboxUsing the Start Menu to launch Windows Sandbox

You’ll notice a new Windows Sandbox window when you launch it, as illustrated below.

The first time you use Windows SandboxThe first time you use Windows Sandbox

Low Consumption of Resources

The resource efficiency of Windows Sandbox will astound you. There isn’t even 50MB of memory use in the sandbox while nothing is going on! Reduce the size of Windows Sandbox and examine the CPU use. You’ll see that if nothing is operating, it decreases to 0%, so you don’t have to be concerned about your PC’s resources being used.

Windows Sandbox uses a lot of resources.Windows Sandbox uses a lot of resources.

There are no software updates required.

The Windows Sandbox is a virtualized version of your host computer. When you update your host system, you’re also upgrading your Sandbox’s Windows instance!

Windows Sandbox uses the same version of Windows as the actual PC.Windows Sandbox uses the same version of Windows as the actual PC.

Pasting and Copying

You may copy and paste files to and from Windows Sandbox just as you would a network share or even a virtual computer, as demonstrated below.

Unfortunately, you can’t drag & drop files from the host to the Sandbox or vice versa.

For Windows Sandbox, copy and paste the illustration.For Windows Sandbox, copy and paste the illustration.

Stopping the Sandbox in Windows 10

It’s exactly as simple to close the Sandbox as it is to open it. Because the Sandbox is simply another window, close it with the X in the upper-right corner as you would any other window. If you do, the Sandbox will warn you that all of your modifications will be lost.

Before shutting down, Windows gives you a warning about the Sandbox.Before shutting down, Windows gives you a warning about the Sandbox.

Conclusion

The Sandbox mode in Windows 10 is a built-in feature that allows you to rapidly create separate Windows instances for testing untrustworthy applications. The Sandbox is simple to start up since no additional software is required.

What more applications do you have in mind for the Windows Sandbox?

The “is windows sandbox safe” is a question that many users have asked. The answer to this question is yes, but it is important to note that the features of Windows 10 Sandbox are limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I run a program in Windows 10 Sandbox?

A: You can run any program in Windows 10 Sandbox by following this tutorial.

Is Windows 10 Sandbox safe?

A: Windows 10 is designed to make sure your computer stays secure and safe. It features a powerful built-in privacy tool called the Sandbox, which allows you to check out new software without compromising on your systems security.

How do I run an application in a Sandbox?

A: Sandboxes are used for testing and running applications without having to worry about breaking the operating system. For example, a sandbox is typically seen in antivirus software that allows users to test out an application for viruses or other malware without affecting their current computer files and settings.

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