Activate Windows Sandbox on Windows 10 to run the unreliable .exe file

What is Windows Sandbox?

Microsoft is trying to solve a problem that has long existed for Windows users, that is how to run an unknown .exe file on a PC safely?In the past, there was a way to run unknown executable files on Windows, which is to set up virtual machines to check for unknown applications, but this is only for advanced users, have a lot of expertise.Understanding this, Microsoft has developed a simpler method for anyone using Windows 10 to be able to launch applications in an isolated desktop environment, thereby ensuring greater security.Windows Sandbox is a new feature on Windows 10 and is expected to be officially put into use next year.Windows Sandbox helps create a temporary desktop environment to isolate a specific application that you suspect contains potential security risks.

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In essence, Windows Sandbox is designed for security and disposable purposes, so when you have finished running the application in this mode, the entire Sandbox will also be deleted.With Windows Sandbox, you will not need to set up a virtual machine, but it will require virtualization enabled in the BIOS.Microsoft is providing Windows Sandbox as a feature of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise, and this tool is clearly aimed at users who are businesses or advanced users who have high demand for security. honey.

In addition, there will be a fairly clever new feature, that is, every time Windows Sandbox is enabled, it simply creates a new lightweight Windows installation (100MB) to run the application.Microsoft will use its own virtualization to create a separate kernel, completely isolated from the host PC.Windows 10 users will be able to start testing this new feature after Microsoft released the 18305 update later.

Features of Windows Sandbox:

1. Sandbox is part of Windows - everything needed for this feature comes with Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise.You will not need to download VHD!
2. Original - every time the Windows Sandbox is launched, it will act as a completely new installation of Windows, and is completely 'clean'.
3. Disposable - nothing is retained, everything will be deleted completely after you close the application.
4. Security - Sandbox uses hardware-based virtualization to isolate kernels, rely on Microsoft virtualization to run separate kernels, and also isolate Windows Sandbox from the host computer.
5. Efficiency - Sandbox uses an integrated kernel scheduler, intelligently manages memory and virtual GPU.

Prerequisite for using Windows Sandbox

1. Pro Windows 10 or Enterprise Insider, build from 18305 or more.
2. AMD64 architecture.
3. Virtualization capability is enabled in the BIOS.
4. At least 4GB RAM (8GB as recommended).
5. At least 1GB of free disk space (SSD is recommended).
6. CPU has At least 2 cores (4 cores with recommended hyperthreading).

How to launch Windows Sandbox

Step 1 : Install Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, Insider, build from 18305 or more.

Step 2 : Enable virtualization:

If you are using a real computer, make sure the virtualization capability is enabled in the BIOS.

If you are using a virtual machine, enable nested virtualization with this PowerShell command:

 Set-VMProcessor -VMName -ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $ true 

Step 3: Open Windows Features and then select Windows Sandbox . Click OK to install Windows Sandbox.You may be asked to restart the computer after the installation process is complete.

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Step 4: Use the Start menu, find Windows Sandbox, run it with administrator privileges.

Step 5: Copy an executable file that you want to open from the host.

Step 6: Paste the executable file in the Windows Sandbox window (on the Windows desktop).

Step 7 : Run the executable file in Windows Sandbox, if it is an installer, continue and install it.

Step 8: Run the newly installed application and use it as usual.

Step 9: When you have finished testing, you just need to close the Windows Sandbox application.All content in the Sandbox will be permanently deleted.

Step 10: Confirm that there is no modification on the host that you have made in Windows Sandbox.

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Windows Sandbox will respect the server diagnostic data settings.All other privacy settings will be set to their default values!

See more:

1. Microsoft is ready for a world farther than Windows
2. Windows 10 1803 is still the king of Microsoft castle
3. How has the Windows interface from Windows 1.0 to Windows 10 changed?
4. Admire Windows 10 is designed with a unique nostalgic Windows 95/98 style