To activate your sandbox, specifically the Windows Sandbox feature, you generally need to enable it through your Windows settings after ensuring a crucial hardware prerequisite is met.
Understanding Windows Sandbox
Windows Sandbox is a lightweight, temporary desktop environment that runs in isolation. Anything you do inside the sandbox stays inside the sandbox and is discarded once you close it. This makes it ideal for safely testing untrusted applications or visiting questionable websites without affecting your main system.
Prerequisites: Virtualization in BIOS
A critical step mentioned in activating the sandbox is ensuring virtualization is enabled in your computer's BIOS. The reference explicitly states:
"Now for this you do need to make sure that virtualization is enabled in the Bios. As this will create its own small temporary virtual machine each time it's opened."
Windows Sandbox functions by creating a small, temporary virtual machine. For this virtual machine technology to work, the virtualization feature (often labeled VT-x, Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, or SVM Mode) must be active in your computer's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings.
How to check/enable virtualization:
- Restart your computer.
- As the computer starts, press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly F2, F10, F12, DEL, or ESC - this varies by manufacturer).
- Navigate through the settings menus (often under Advanced, Security, or Configuration) to find the virtualization option.
- Ensure it is set to "Enabled".
- Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.
Note: The exact steps and naming conventions in BIOS/UEFI can differ significantly between motherboard manufacturers.
Activating Windows Sandbox via Windows Features
Once virtualization is confirmed enabled in your BIOS, you can activate Windows Sandbox in your Windows operating system:
- Open Windows Search by clicking the search icon or pressing the Windows key.
- Type "Turn Windows features on or off" and select the matching result from the Control Panel settings.
- The "Windows Features" window will open, displaying a list of optional Windows components.
- Scroll down the list and locate "Windows Sandbox".
- Click the checkbox next to "Windows Sandbox" to select it.
- Click "OK".
- Windows will begin installing the required files for the feature.
- Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Save any open work and click "Restart now".
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Open Features | Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" | Access control panel setting |
| 2. Locate Sandbox | Find "Windows Sandbox" in the list | Scroll down if necessary |
| 3. Enable Feature | Check the box next to "Windows Sandbox" | Confirms your selection |
| 4. Install | Click "OK" | Windows installs the feature |
| 5. Restart | Click "Restart now" when prompted | Required to finalize installation |
Launching Windows Sandbox
After your computer restarts, Windows Sandbox will be activated. You can now find it listed in your Start Menu under the name "Windows Sandbox". Click on it to open the isolated environment.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Virtualization Disabled: As mentioned, this is the most common reason activation fails or the sandbox doesn't run. Double-check your BIOS settings.
- Unsupported Windows Version: Windows Sandbox is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education, and Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education editions. It is not available on Windows Home.
- Hardware Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements (e.g., sufficient RAM, disk space, and a 64-bit processor with virtualization capabilities).
By following these steps, including the essential BIOS virtualization check, you can successfully activate and utilize Windows Sandbox.
