# Windows Sandbox A great number of programs are available to download from the internet for free. But freeware especially is associated with the risk of installing malware in addition to the actual application and thereby damaging the operating system. Users typically only realize that a program is harmful after having installed it. The [sandbox](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/what-is-sandboxing/ "What is sandboxing?") solves this problem and allows users to install software preliminarily within an isolated environment. As of **Windows 10 Pro version 1903**, Windows Sandbox has been **available as part of the operating system**, but it is usually disabled in the settings. We explain how you can turn on Windows Sandbox step by step. ## Windows Sandbox: a virtual testing environment A sandbox is an **isolated environment** separated from the rest of the operating system. However, the same functions are available as in a “conventional” Windows version. Each time it’s used, the sandbox works like a **newly booted computer**, without any installed applications and programs. This virtual environment lets you install and test potentially unsafe programs. If the software is harmful and contains a virus, it will have **no effect on the actual operating system**. When closing Windows Sandbox, all programs and data are automatically and permanently deleted. Before installing potentially dangerous applications or programs, it’s a good idea to run a test installation in the sandbox. This way, you can rule out the possibility of damaging your operating system. The **following computer requirements** must be met in order to use Windows Sandbox: - At least Windows 10 Pro version 18305 - 64-bit version - Virtualization activated in BIO and a suitable CPU - 1 GB of free memory, ideally on an SSD - At least 4 GB of RAM, however 8 GB is recommended - Two CPU cores --- ### Tip Unsure whether your Windows version is suitable? [Find out what version of Windows you are running](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-version-of-windows-do-i-have/ "What version of Windows do I have?") using the key combination \[Windows\] + \[Pause\]. --- ## How to turn on Windows Sandbox By default, Windows Sandbox is **deactivated**. But it can be activated with just a few clicks in the Control Panel. ### Step 1: Open Windows Features In the task bar, enter “**Turn Windows features on or off**” in the **search field** and select the search result. [![Image: Opening the Windows features dialog field](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/6/csm_opening-the-windows-features-dialog-field_dc1910316a.webp "Opening the Windows features dialog field")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/opening-the-windows-features-dialog-field.png) Open the dialog field “Windows Features” via the search function. Alternatively, you can launch Windows Features via the **command dialog**. Open the dialog field using the key combination \[Windows\] + \[R\]. Next, enter “**optionalfeatures**” into the search field and confirm with “OK”. [![Image: Command dialog: optionalfeatures](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/5/csm_command-dialog-optionalfeatures_dc64d30193.webp "Command dialog: optionalfeatures")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/command-dialog-optionalfeatures.png) Enter “optionalfeatures” in the command dialog. ### Step 2: Turn on Windows Sandbox The “Windows Features” dialog will launch. Navigate to the **option “Windows Sandbox”** using the arrow keys. Activate the Windows feature by enabling the corresponding checkbox. Confirm with “OK”. [![Image: Windows Features: Activating Windows Sandbox](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/7/csm_windows-features-activating-windows-sandbox_1977a2d234.webp "Windows Features: Activating Windows Sandbox")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-features-activating-windows-sandbox.png) Activate Windows Sandbox using the corresponding checkbox. --- ### Tip If the “Windows Sandbox” option is greyed-out and can’t be selected, it is likely that virtualization in BIOS is deactivated. First, you will need to [start the BIOS](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/how-to-enter-bios/ "How to enter BIOS") and then enable Windows Sandbox from there. --- ### Step 3: Restart the computer Once you have confirmed your entry, the operating system will automatically load all necessary data for Windows Sandbox. Once the process has completed, a dialog will prompt you to restart the PC. This is **necessary in order to activate the sandbox successfully**. Follow the instructions and click on the “Restart now” button. [![Image: Enabling Windows Sandbox: restarting the PC](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/e/csm_enabling-windows-sandbox-restarting-the-pc_a0f9621a62.webp "Enabling Windows Sandbox: restarting the PC")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/enabling-windows-sandbox-restarting-the-pc.png) Fully activating Windows Sandbox requires a PC restart. ### Step 4: Open Windows Sandbox After the computer has been restarted, Windows Sandbox will be ready to use. To launch it, enter the name of the Windows feature into the **search field in the task bar**. Next, click on the respective search result on the left or select the option “Open” on the right. [![Image: Opening Windows Sandbox](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/1/csm_opening-windows-sandbox_000b91f52b.webp "Opening Windows Sandbox")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/opening-windows-sandbox.png) Use the search function in the task bar to open Windows Sandbox. ### Step 5: Confirm Safety Query When you launch Windows Sandbox for the first time, a safety query will appear from **User Account Control**. Accept it by clicking “Yes”. [![Image: Enabling Windows Sandbox: Safety query](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/6/csm_enabling-windows-sandbox-safety-query_1914b464a6.webp "Enabling Windows Sandbox: Safety query")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/enabling-windows-sandbox-safety-query.png) Confirm the safety query to use Windows Sandbox. ### Step 6: Use Windows Sandbox Windows Sandbox will then open as its own **window**. The user interface is identical to the normal Windows operating system. To start a program in the sandbox, copy the files from the regular operating system into the [cache](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/windows-11-clipboard/ "Windows 11: Clipboard") using the key combination \[Ctrl\] + \[C\]. Next, insert the file into the sandbox using \[Ctrl\] + \[V\]. There, you can run or install the application. Once you have completed the trial installation in the secure environment, close the sandbox by clicking on the “X” in the top-right corner. The system will then automatically delete all data in the sandbox irrevocably. **To use the tested program on a permanent basis**, you will need to re-install it on the main operating system. [![Image: Windows Sandbox: Start screen](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/4/csm_windows-sandbox-start-screen_455d80e6c8.webp "Windows Sandbox: Start screen")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/windows-sandbox-start-screen.png) No programs or applications are pre-installed in Windows Sandbox. This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/windows-sandbox/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/windows-sandbox/) for AI/LLM consumption.