Want to try an unknown program without letting it change your real system? The free Sandboxie Plus lets you start applications in an isolated box, where many file and system changes stay separate from the Windows environment.
Launch a program inside a box
Choose a sandbox and start an application there to keep much of its activity within that box. This is a common way to test software or browse with a browser whose changes are kept separate from normal system activity.
The sandbox list gives you a place to manage boxes and see their running processes. Access settings let you control which host files or folders a sandboxed application can reach; tighter access can also mean that an application cannot use a folder it needs.
Recover files you want to keep
Files created or changed inside a sandbox remain among its contents. Quick Recovery can locate selected files there and copy them out to the regular system, so a downloaded document or other wanted item does not have to stay in the box.
For other inspection, open a sandbox’s contents and browse its stored files.
Clear a sandbox after testing
Use the sandbox’s clear-contents command when you are finished with its activity. Removing those stored contents resets the box for another session; it does not undo changes that were deliberately copied out to the host.
If an application needs access to particular host locations, adjust that sandbox’s access rules.
Pros
- Run applications in separate sandboxes
- Quick Recovery retrieves selected files from a sandbox
- Clear sandbox contents after a test
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 · 64-bit only
How do I keep a file created in a sandbox?
Use Quick Recovery to find the file and copy it to the regular system.
Does clearing a sandbox remove its stored files?
Yes. Clearing the sandbox removes its contents, including files kept inside it.
Can a sandboxed app access folders on the host?
Access rules can allow selected host files or folders; the app’s access depends on those settings.