Windows Sandbox

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

FreeProprietaryWindows
Official websitelearn.microsoft.com

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About Windows Sandbox

Windows Sandbox is a feature of Windows 10 and Windows 11 that opens a lightweight, isolated Windows desktop in a window. It uses hypervisor-based virtualization, so anything installed inside it stays separate from the host system.

The sandbox is disposable: closing it deletes all software, files and state, and each launch starts from a fresh instance. It starts faster and uses less memory than a full virtual machine, which suits testing, debugging, opening unknown files and trying out tools. Software installed on the host is not available inside the sandbox.

Strengths

  • Built into Windows with one-click setup
  • Fresh, clean instance on every launch
  • Lower memory use and faster start than a full VM

Limitations

  • Nothing persists after the sandbox is closed
  • Host-installed software is not available inside
  • Windows only

Details

Pricing
FreeIncluded with Windows at no extra cost.
License
Proprietary (Proprietary)
Developer
Microsoft
Platforms
Windows
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Best suited for
Safely trying unknown files and programs on a Windows PC
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to Windows Sandbox

Compare all

Software that can replace Windows Sandbox for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • 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.

Windows Sandbox as an alternative

Listings that name Windows Sandbox as an alternative.

  • 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 necessarily a direct replacement.

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