HomeWinBuzzer TipsWindows 10: How to Enable the Windows Sandbox Feature

Windows 10: How to Enable the Windows Sandbox Feature

The Windows Sandbox gives Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users a safe space to run suspicious apps without risk. Here's how to enable the Windows 10 Sandbox feature.

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Microsoft has taken pains to secure Windows 10, but there are still many malicious applications out there. It’s in these cases you’ll wonder how to enable the Windows Sandbox, but there are situations outside of security where the feature can also be useful.

In recent times, for example, Microsoft released a PowerShell script for Windows Sandbox that lets users help fight coronavirus. It uses an open-source app to simulate protein dynamics, all inside Windows 10’s new safety feature.

Enabling the hardware virtualization add-on is very easy compared to a traditional virtual machine and the tiny version of the company’s OS only takes up 100MB. Windows Sandbox also deletes everything from the session after you close it, so there’s no need for time-consuming cleanup.

With this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to enable the Sandbox, but know that it isn’t possible on Windows 10 Home. You’ll need the following requirements:

  • Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise
  • Version 18305 (Windows 10 May 2019 update) or higher
  • A CPU with hardware virtualization enabled
  • At least two processor cores
  • 4 GB of RAM

Though the Sandbox itself only takes up 100MB, Microsoft also recommends you have 1GB or hardware space, just to ensure your main OS will run smoothly in the background. With that said, let’s jump into the first step.

Enable the Windows 10 Sandbox via Optional Features

  1. Press “Windows + R” to open the Run box and type “optionalfeatures”.  Press OK.
Windows 10 - Run - Optional Features
Windows 10 – Run – Optional Features

2. As expected, the Windows Features pop-up will appear, asking which you’d like to enable. A bit of scrolling and you’ll find the correct entry. Tick it and press OK. You may be prompted to restart your PC.

Windows 10 - optional features
Windows 10 – optional features

3. You can then run the Windows 10 Sandbox by searching for “Sandbox” in the Start menu.

Windows 10 - Search - Sandbox
Windows 10 – Search – Sandbox

4. The application will open a new window with a virtual system. In it, you can copy the setup files of a potentially dangerous application, install it inside the Sandbox and then test it without risk. Once you close the Windows 10 sandbox, all files you have placed and changes you have made there will be automatically removed.

Last Updated on April 26, 2020 12:13 pm CEST

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.

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