Alternatives to Windows Sandbox

A disposable, isolated Windows desktop built into Windows 10 and 11 for running untrusted software. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

  • Windows Sandbox

    A disposable, isolated Windows desktop built into Windows 10 and 11 for running untrusted software.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Windows Sandbox.

  • Hyper-V

    Microsoft's type-1 hypervisor built into Windows and Windows Server for running Windows and Linux virtual machines.

    FreeProprietaryWindows

    Hyper-V runs persistent Windows and Linux virtual machines built into Windows Pro and Server, requiring manual VM setup instead of a fresh disposable desktop.

  • VirtualBox

    The free desktop hypervisor most people start with: run Windows, Linux or BSD in a window on the machine you already have.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    VirtualBox runs full Windows VMs with snapshots you can restore after testing, works on Windows, macOS and Linux, and needs a separate Windows install.

  • VMware Workstation Pro

    Type-2 hypervisor for running virtual machines on Windows and Linux desktops.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsLinux

    VMware Workstation Pro provides full VMs with snapshots and cloning on Windows and Linux, free for personal use, but it uses more memory than a sandbox.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Windows Sandbox as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Sandboxie-Plus

    Runs a Windows program inside an isolated box, so whatever it writes to disk or the registry disappears afterwards.

    FreeOpen sourceWindows

    Windows Sandbox is built into Windows 10 and 11 and gives a full disposable desktop, but nothing persists after closing and host-installed software is unavailable inside.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.