How to Enable Windows Sandbox
Microsoft first introduced Windows Sandbox with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, and it has remained a built-in feature in the latest operating system, Windows 11. If you’re not familiar with it, Windows Sandbox allows you to create an isolated virtual environment, essentially a temporary computer inside your main PC.
This feature is designed for safely installing and testing suspicious or unknown software. Once you’re done testing, simply close the Sandbox window and everything inside it is instantly erased, leaving your main system completely untouched.
Windows Sandbox is especially useful if you frequently try programs from untrusted sources or want to make sure an app won’t harm your computer. Unfortunately, the feature is not enabled by default in Windows 11. You’ll need to activate it manually, but don’t worry, the steps are simple and quick, and we’ll walk you through them below.
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| How to Enable Windows Sandbox in Windows 11 |
Enabling Windows Sandbox in Windows 11
Microsoft introduced several improvements to Windows Sandbox in Windows 11, including a refreshed app icon and support for actions like restarting the sandbox environment without disabling the feature, something that wasn’t possible in Windows 10.
Despite these enhancements, the core functionality remains the same. Once you launch Windows Sandbox, you’re presented with a fresh, isolated instance of Windows 11 running inside a virtual environment. The key difference is that no changes are saved once you exit the sandbox.
This behavior sets Windows Sandbox apart from traditional virtual machines created using tools like Oracle VirtualBox, where data and system changes remain stored on the virtual machine even after it’s shut down. With Windows Sandbox, everything is temporary by design, making it ideal for safe testing and quick experimentation.
Windows Sandbox Requirements and How to Enable It
To begin with, you must be using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. This isn’t the only requirement, hardware virtualization must also be enabled from your system’s BIOS/UEFI settings. In addition, your PC needs at least a dual-core processor, 4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB recommended), and 40 GB of free storage space on your drive.
If your system doesn’t meet these requirements, Windows Sandbox will not work, even after installation. However, we’ll also explain a workaround to enable Windows Sandbox on Windows 11 Home later in this guide.
How to Enable Windows Sandbox (Pro & Enterprise)
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| Windows Optional Features - Sandbox |
To enable Windows Sandbox, follow these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type optionalfeatures and press Enter.
- In the Windows Features window, scroll down until you find Windows Sandbox.
- Check the box next to it, then click OK.
- Wait while Windows downloads the required files via Windows Update.
- Once completed, click Restart to apply the changes.
After restarting your PC, Windows Sandbox will be successfully enabled.
How to Enable Windows Sandbox on Windows 11 Home (Workaround)
On Windows 11 Home, you won’t find Windows Sandbox listed in the Windows Features menu, as it’s not officially supported. However, it is still possible to force-enable the feature by applying specific system modifications.
To do this, you’ll need to download a batch file called Sandbox Installer, which applies all the required changes automatically.
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| Windows Sandbox on Windows 11 Home |
- Download the Sandbox Installer batch file.
- Right-click the file and select Run as administrator.
- A Command Prompt window will open and begin applying the necessary changes.
- The process usually takes less than a minute.
- When prompted, type Y and press Enter to restart your computer.
Once your PC restarts, Windows Sandbox will be enabled and ready to use.
How to Launch and Use Windows Sandbox
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| Launch Windows Sandbox |
After restarting, you can open Windows Sandbox in several ways:
- Open the Start menu, click All Apps, then scroll down to find Windows Sandbox at the bottom.
- Or simply type Windows Sandbox in the Start menu search bar and click Open.
The first launch may take a bit of time, as Windows prepares the virtual environment. During this process, Sandbox consumes a noticeable amount of system resources, so it’s recommended to close other running applications to reduce CPU, disk, and RAM usage.
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| Run Windows Sandbox |
Once launched, you’ll see a fully isolated Windows 11 virtual environment, where you can safely install software, open suspicious files, or experiment freely, without affecting your main system.
You can also copy and paste files between your PC and the sandbox using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V, making it easy to test unknown programs or files without re-downloading them. {alertInfo}
Final Thoughts
Windows Sandbox is one of the most powerful yet underrated features in Windows 11, especially for users who frequently test new software or deal with files from unknown sources. It provides a secure, isolated environment that lets you experiment freely without risking your main system.
Whether you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, or even applying the workaround on Windows 11 Home, enabling Windows Sandbox is well worth the effort. It’s fast, lightweight, and requires no third-party tools, making it an ideal solution for improving both security and productivity.
If safety matters to you, Windows Sandbox is a feature you should absolutely take advantage of.