01
Confirm the Windows edition
Open **Settings**, select **System**, and open **About**. Check that the Windows edition supports **Windows Sandbox**.
tipWindows Sandbox is not supported on Windows 11 Home.
Enable **Windows Sandbox** through Windows Features, restart the PC, and open a temporary Windows desktop. Test a trusted application and verify that its changes disappear when the sandbox is closed.
Requirements
- Windows 11 25H2 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, x64.
- Administrator access.
- A processor supporting hardware virtualization, with virtualization enabled in UEFI.
- At least 4 GB of RAM and 1 GB of free storage; 8 GB RAM and SSD storage recommended.
- Microsoft installation documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/windows-sand
- A small, trusted application or harmless test file.
Instructions
02
Verify hardware virtualization
Open **Task Manager**, select **Performance**, and inspect **CPU**. Confirm that virtualization is enabled before attempting installation.
⚠ warningIf virtualization is disabled, use the motherboard or laptop manufacturer's documented UEFI instructions to enable it.
03
Enable Windows Sandbox
Search for **Turn Windows features on or off**. Select **Windows Sandbox**, click **OK**, and allow Windows to install the required components.
04
Restart and launch
Restart Windows when prompted. Open **Start**, search for **Windows Sandbox**, and launch the application.
tipOn Windows 11 25H2, Windows Sandbox can receive application updates through the Microsoft Store.
05
Configure the test environment
Inspect the sandbox window and available runtime controls. Keep unnecessary host-folder sharing disabled and avoid transferring personal files into the disposable environment.
⚠ warningWindows Sandbox enables networking by default and is not a guarantee of safety against every threat. Use trusted test applications for this setup.
06
Perform a disposable test
Create a harmless text file on the sandbox desktop or install a trusted small application inside it. Confirm that the change appears in the sandbox rather than on the host desktop.
07
Verify automatic cleanup
Close **Windows Sandbox** and confirm the discard warning. Launch it again and verify that the test file or application is no longer present.
Common issues
Windows Sandbox does not appear in Windows Features.
Check the Windows edition, processor architecture, and virtualization support. Windows 11 Home does not include the feature.
Windows Sandbox fails to start.
Confirm that hardware virtualization is enabled, restart Windows, and apply pending system updates. Check for conflicts with third-party virtualization settings.
The sandbox cannot reach the internet.
Check the sandbox's networking configuration and the host's network connection. An intentionally disabled sandbox network must be re-enabled before internet access will work.
Frequently asked
Are files saved inside Windows Sandbox permanent?
No. Closing the sandbox discards its contents and changes.
Can I install normal Windows applications?
Many ordinary Windows desktop applications work, subject to the sandbox's hardware and virtualization limitations.
Is Windows Sandbox completely secure?
It provides useful isolation but does not eliminate every security risk, especially when networking or host resources are shared.
How to undo this
Close **Windows Sandbox** to discard its temporary files. Open **Turn Windows features on or off**, clear the **Windows Sandbox** checkbox, confirm the change, and restart Windows if prompted. This removes the optional feature without uninstalling the host operating system.
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