Over the years, Microsoft has been incorporating Windows improvements aimed at make it safer. Some have been controversial because they involve specific hardware. Others depend on the version of Windows you have. And others come by default, such as the antivirus and the firewall of Microsoft Defenderanti-fraud notices of microsoft edge And a long etcetera. But some of these security enhancements are hidden, as is the case with windows sandbox either windows sandbox, in Spanish. It is the sandbox mode of Windows and is used to run applications in complete safety.
As the official documentation explains, Windows Sandbox or “windows sandbox provides a lightweight desktop environment for run applications safely in isolation. Software installed within the Windows Sandbox environment remains “sandboxed” and runs separately from the host machine. Its operation is similar to a virtual machine. It creates a temporary space and “when it closes, all software and files are removed and the state”.
What is Windows sandbox mode for?
You can use the Windows Sandbox or Windows sandbox for many reasons. For example, for test a program or application of which you do not know origin or reliability. You may also want to test on a app you created yourself and you don’t want to have problems with Windows. Or are you interested analyze an application to check your resource consumption, if you connect to the internet and to which servers, etc.
Another possible use is that you are forced to use an outdated app and you want to do it securely to prevent the data generated or entered from falling into the wrong hands. You can do it creating a virtual machine. But with Windows sandbox mode, you’ll use fewer resources on your PC and avoid having to install a old version of windows in the virtual machine. In short, there are many reasons to use this security method.
Prerequisites to use it
Windows Sandbox is available at Windows 10 Y Windows 11. But not in all its versions. You will need the versions Pro, Enterprise either Education. You will also need a PC with 64-bit processor. At the moment it does not work on 32-bit architectures. And that processor must have, at least, two cores. Although it is preferable that it has four cores with hyperthreading.
More requirements to use Windows Sandbox: at least 4GB of RAM, although 8GB would be desirable, at least 1GB of disk space, and SSD power. And, finally, have activated the functionalities of BIOS virtualization.
BIOS virtualization technology is usually in the security and/or system security section. You will find a section or option with the name virtualization technology or in English, Virtualization Technology and the initials vtx. You just have to enter the BIOS, activate that option, apply the changes and restart. Some manufacturers activate this option by default. But it doesn’t hurt check that it is activated.
How to turn on Windows Sandbox
To activate the sandbox mode of Windows or isolated space of Windows you will only have to search Turn Windows features on or off in the Windows search bar. In this way, a new window will open with a list of options that are usually deactivated but that you can enable. You will also find that menu in the Control Panelbut this way you will go directly to the menu Windows features.
Once the new window is open, you will see a list of options in the form of a folder that you can check or uncheck to activate or deactivate. The option we are interested in is called Windows Sandbox in Spanish and windows sandbox in English. It will depend on the language in which you have Windows. Click on the corresponding bookmark if it is unchecked and then on To accept to confirm your choice.
New components may need to be installed, or Windows may ask you to restart your computer to apply the changes. Be that as it may, follow the instructions to make the activation of Windows Sandbox effective. And once you are back in Windows, go to the search bar and look for windows sandbox. It will appear as a standalone app.
How Windows Sandbox works
When you open the Windows Sandbox app you will see a new window showing Windows. A Windows within another Windows. Of course, it is not a complete version. Actually, it is a version with the essentials to work. And, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a watertight, isolated version of the main system. Like a virtual machine.
In this Windows within Windows you can do whatever you want. The goal is that you can run certain application safely and independently of Windows running on your computer. Download things, test them, analyze if they are infected or if they make connections to the Internet that they should not…
Come on, the Windows Isolated Space is a tool with which Test applications or Windows itself. When you’re done using it, all you have to do is close the main application, Windows Sandbox. What you did there, the files you created or downloaded inside the Windows sandbox, will be gone.
Although starting a virtual machine can turns out more easyIf we stick to the Windows Sandbox requirements, this alternative is also very attractive for running outdated apps, doing security and privacy testing, or simply preventing an unknown app from deconfigure your operating system.