Microsoft introduces lightweight disposable desktop environment, Windows Sandbox

Microsoft introduces lightweight disposable desktop environment, Windows Sandbox

Windows Sandbox

Microsoft announced Windows Sandbox feature in new Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18305.

Windows Sandbox is a lightweight desktop environment where you can test and run applications securedly. It is an isolated, temporary, desktop environment suitable for safely running untrusted software or downloaded executable files.

Microsoft says “you can run untrusted software without the fear of lasting impact to your device. Any software installed in Windows Sandbox stays only in the sandbox and cannot affect your host. Once Windows Sandbox is closed, all the software with all of its files and state are permanently deleted.”

Windows Sandbox according to Microsoft is efficient, secure, disposable, pristine and part of Windows. Sandbox takes away the need of having to set up a virtual machine when you need a clean installation of Windows as well.

Here’s what you need and how to set up Windows Sandbox,

Windows Sandbox

Prerequisites:

Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise Insider build 18305 or later
AMD64 architecture
Ensure Virtualization capabilities are Enabled in BIOS
At least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended)
At least 1 GB of free disk space (SSD recommended)
At least 2 CPU cores (4 cores with hyperthreading recommended)

Set up

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off, and then select Enable Windows Sandbox.

To start Windows Sandbox, open the Start menu, enter Windows Sandbox and then select it.

Click to check out Sandbox for other details, configurations and bug errors and fixes. Try the new feature and share with us your thoughts.