Creating Custom Windows Sandbox Configurations in Windows 10

[correlate]

Level 18
Thread author
Top Poster
Well-known
May 4, 2019
801
Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903) included a new feature called the Windows Sandbox that allows you to safely run applications in isolation from the rest of the operating system.
When you launch the Windows Sandbox
This means you can run untrusted software, scripts, malicious files and adware without the fear of impacting your normal Windows installation.
In order to make it more useful for users, Microsoft allows you to specify create configuration files that modify the functionality of the Sandbox.
In this guide we will explain how to create a configuration file and then use it to launch the Windows Sandbox.

 

Tiamati

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Nov 8, 2016
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Protomartyr

Level 7
Sep 23, 2019
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What would be difference/advantages and disadvantages of using this Sandbox and not a virtualized machine through other ways?
Windows Sandbox:
  • Lightweight and easy to set up.
  • You don't need a separate license key for Windows. It will generate a clean snapshot OS based on the host machine.
  • Sandbox is only available for Windows Pro and Enterprise users.

Virtual Machines:
  • You can use a different OS of your choosing.
  • More customization options.
 

Tiamati

Level 12
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Nov 8, 2016
574
Windows Sandbox:
  • Lightweight and easy to set up.
  • You don't need a separate license key for Windows. It will generate a clean snapshot OS based on the host machine.
  • Sandbox is only available for Windows Pro and Enterprise users.

Virtual Machines:
  • You can use a different OS of your choosing.
  • More customization options.

Tyvm! @Protomartyr

I was able to activate Windows sandbox and Application Guard (for Edge). There is any disadvantage in letting those options enabled (including BIOS virtualization activated) when not using them? Like slowing down Windows for example...

My sandbox showed some "problems" like:
  1. i cant configure almost anything (like windows defender options for example)
  2. Windows sandbox always delete everything on exit. I know that is how it is supposed to be, but it is a downside if you want to keep a constant sandbox for testing (malware testing for example)
 

notabot

Level 15
Verified
Oct 31, 2018
703
What would be difference/advantages and disadvantages of using this Sandbox and not a virtualized machine through other ways?

You don't use a sandbox for malware testing, you use a dedicated real system on disposable machine that you format and restore from backup every time. At worst, a VM.

The Windows Sandbox uses Intel vt-x virtualization, it is a VM.
 

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