Windows Sandbox provides an isolated desktop for application testing without a full virtual machine setup. Check system requirements, enable the feature, and verify that the sandbox resets after closing.
Verify that your PC supports virtualization and runs Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Enable Windows Sandbox through Windows Features, restart, and launch the temporary desktop.
Open **Settings > System > About** and locate **Windows specifications**. Confirm that the edition is **Windows 11 Pro**, **Enterprise**, or **Education**. Windows Sandbox cannot be enabled through the supported built-in feature on Windows Home.
Open **Task Manager > Performance > CPU** and locate **Virtualization**. Confirm that the value shows **Enabled**. If it displays Disabled, hardware virtualization must be enabled through the manufacturer's firmware settings before Windows Sandbox can operate.
Open the Start menu and search for **Turn Windows features on or off**. Select the matching Control Panel result to open the Windows Features dialog. This interface manages optional operating system components, including Windows Sandbox.
Scroll through the feature list and locate **Windows Sandbox**. Select its checkbox and click **OK** to install the required Windows components. If the option is unavailable, review the Windows edition, virtualization support, and system requirements.
Select **Restart now** if Windows requests a restart after installing the feature. Allow Windows to complete its configuration process and sign in again. The restart activates components required for the sandbox environment.
Open the Start menu, search for **Windows Sandbox**, and select the application. Wait for the isolated Windows desktop to appear in its own window. This environment runs separately from your normal Windows session.
Inside Windows Sandbox, right-click the desktop and select **New > Folder**. Give the folder a recognizable test name and confirm that it appears. This folder belongs to the temporary sandbox environment rather than your normal desktop.
Close the **Windows Sandbox** window and confirm the warning that its contents will be discarded. Launch Windows Sandbox again through the Start menu. The test folder should no longer exist, confirming that closing the environment removes its temporary state.
Verify that Windows runs a supported edition and the device meets the virtualization requirements. The feature is not supported on Windows Home.
Confirm that hardware virtualization is enabled and that required Microsoft virtualization components are available. Consult the official hardware and Microsoft troubleshooting documentation before changing firmware settings.
Confirm access to Windows Update and Microsoft Store. Windows Sandbox on Windows 11 24H2 and newer may obtain application updates through Microsoft Store.
No. Closing the sandbox discards its temporary applications, files, and changes.
Yes. Default configurations allow network access, although custom configurations can disable it.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-install
Open Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features. Clear the Windows Sandbox checkbox, select OK, and restart Windows if requested. This removes the optional sandbox feature without affecting applications installed on the normal Windows desktop.
Free · no account needed · tracks your progress