Windows Sandbox uses hardware-based virtualization to efficiently manage resources and the kernel–even running Microsoft’s hypervisor as a separate instance isolated from the host for added protection of the underlying host system.īefore we go through the steps to enable this feature, here are a few requirements that should be considered: The fact that the software runs natively from a common set of Windows files stored locally on the host means that a clean environment starts up each and every time.

SEE: 10 tricks and tweaks for customizing Windows 10 (free PDF) (TechRepublic) In fact, the sandboxed environment is quick and temporary, booting up in a matter of seconds and once closed, all changes including file, app, and system states are permanently deleted without any of the left-over cruft found in VMs or production systems that must be purged manually. The aim of the lightweight desktop environment is to isolate applications in a safe sandbox, which serves to isolate the apps from the live Windows host, without causing a lasting impact. The star feature arguably is the Windows Sandbox that allows for users to access a containerized version of Windows 10 to aid in testing software installs and deployments without compromising a production system or spin up a virtual machine each time you wish to test something out. The May 2019 Update of Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system–version 1903–delivers a range of fixes along with a few new features in this semi-annual release. This will come in handy when you're testing software applications and managed deployments.

Learn how to leverage the built-in Windows Sandbox feature in Windows 10 to emulate a virtual desktop. How to use Windows 10’s Windows Sandbox to test software

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