--- title: Windows Sandbox canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/windows-sandbox/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 48 rank: 11 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Windows Sandbox Disposable Windows desktop built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education, deleted when you close it. 48 points out of 100. #11 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: Microsoft. Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/ - Windows Sandbox is included in Windows Pro, Enterprise, Pro Education/SE and Education, with no separate price [1]. - It is not supported on Windows Home [1]. - Closing the sandbox deletes all software, files and state; each launch is a fresh instance [1]. - Virtual GPU, clipboard sharing and mapped host folders are available; networking is on by default [1][3]. - It needs 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), two CPU cores and virtualization turned on in BIOS [2]. Verdict: Windows Sandbox suits people on Windows Pro or higher who want a clean, one-click Windows to try unknown files or apps [1][2]. It adds no cost, shares the clipboard and folders, and supports a virtual GPU [1][3]. The catch: it does not run on Windows Home, runs only Windows, and keeps nothing between sessions [1]. Best for: Opening untrusted files or apps in a clean, throwaway Windows. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows | 4/8 | Each run is a fresh instance of Windows; no Linux guest is documented [1]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | None | 0/4 | A Windows feature; no macOS or Linux host is listed [1]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | No | 0/5 | Overview says Windows Sandbox is not supported on Windows Home edition [1]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | No | 0/8 | Overview says nothing persists and closing deletes all state; no save or restore of state is described [1]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the Windows Sandbox overview or configuration pages [1][3]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | None | 0/6 | Docs say networking uses a virtual switch on the host; they name no NAT, bridged or host-only mode [3]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the Windows Sandbox install page, which covers running Sandbox inside a VM instead [2]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | Yes | 4/4 | Opens a fresh, clean Windows from the Start menu with no installer to find; the base is the host's own Windows [1][2]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Yes | 8/8 | vGPU is enabled by default on non-Arm64 devices [3]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the configuration page, which lists audio, video, printer and folder sharing [3]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Yes | 6/6 | Mapped folders share host folders with read or write access [3]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Yes | 4/4 | Clipboard redirection is enabled by default so text and files paste both ways [3]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the Windows Sandbox overview [1]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the Windows Sandbox overview [1]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | Windows Sandbox ships inside Windows. Windows 11 release information, updated 2026-09-29, lists current updates [4]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | Included with supported Windows editions at no extra price; needs Pro or higher, not Home [1]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | Windows feature with no separate price; counted as $0 under our rule, though it needs Windows Pro or higher [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Windows Sandbox | Included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education [1] | $0 | The feature has no separate price but needs a Windows edition that supports it [1]. ## Strengths - Included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education at no extra price [1]. - Opens from the Start menu once the feature is turned on in Windows Features [2]. - Supports a virtual GPU, clipboard sharing and mapped host folders [3]. - Each launch is clean, and closing it removes everything [1]. ## Limits - Not supported on Windows Home [1]. - Nothing persists after you close it, so there are no snapshots to return to [1]. - Only one instance can run at a time [1]. - Only a Windows guest is documented [1]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Microsoft says Windows Sandbox takes a few seconds to launch [1]. ## Sources 1. [Windows Sandbox](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [Install Windows Sandbox](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-install), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [Use and configure Windows Sandbox](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-configure-using-wsb-file), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [Windows 11 - release information](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information), Microsoft, accessed 2026-10-09