When trying out new or untrusted software, you can safely test it in Windows Sandbox. For example, I recently downloaded a network monitoring tool but wasn’t sure if it met my requirements or was safe to use. So, I opened Windows Sandbox, installed the tool, and tested it thoroughly in a secure environment rather than risking my main computer.
Windows Sandbox acts as a secure and temporary playground, a mini-version of Windows, designed for testing. Anything you install or run in the Sandbox stays isolated from your main system. The best part? Everything is wiped clean the moment you close the Sandbox, leaving no trace behind. This makes it ideal for testing new software, untrusted apps, or suspicious files without risking your computer’s safety.
In this quick guide, I’ll show you how to use Windows Sandbox to test software safely. Let’s get started.
Before You Begin
- Windows Sandbox should be enabled on Windows 11. If it is not, follow these instructions first—steps to enable Windows Sandbox on Windows 11 (for Windows 10).
- You need administrator rights to open and use Windows Sandbox. This is because it operates as a virtualized environment that needs to modify system settings and access virtualization features.
- These steps are tested to work on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Steps To Test New Software in Windows Sandbox
- Press the Start button.
- Search and open “Windows Sandbox“.
- Drag and drop the software you want to test into the Sandbox window.
- This will copy the software file to Sandbox.
- Double-click the software file in Sandbox to start the installation process.
- Follow the prompts to install the software.
- You can run the installed software as you’d normally.
- Once you are done testing, close the Sandbox window.
- With that, you’ve tested a new software in Windows Sandbox.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, we need to open the Windows Sandbox app. To do that, press the Start button, enter “Windows Sandbox” in the top search bar, and click the “Open” option.
Once it opens, drag and drop the software file you want to test into the Sandbox window. This action copies the file to the sandbox. If you cannot drag and drop, copy the file (Ctrl + V) and paste it into the Sandbox (Ctrl + V).
Note: If you haven’t yet downloaded the software you want to test, you can download it directly in the Sandbox using the built-in Edge browser. Alternatively, you can also map a shared folder in Windows Sandbox to transfer files.
After the file is copied to the sandbox environment, double-click on it to start the installation process. Follow the prompts to install it.
Once the software is installed in the sandbox, you can open and use it as you would do it normally on your main computer.
After using the software and you are satisfied, simply close the Windows Sandbox window. When you see the warning prompt, click the “OK” button. This will not only close it but everything in the sandbox is deleted—it’s like nothing ever happened.
Wrapping Up — Testing Software in Windows Sandbox
As you can see, thanks to the built-in sandbox environment, you can easily test untrusted apps or suspicious files without risking your computer’s safety. Do keep in mind that anything you close the sandbox, everything in it is wiped clean. So, save important files, test results, or outputs to your main system before exiting.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to help.
