Enabling And Disabling Windows Sandbox In VMware: A How-To Guide

Step by Step Process to Enable or Disable Windows Sandbox in VMware Workstations

Enabling or disabling Windows Sandbox in a VMware Workstation environment requires a series of steps to ensure that the feature is properly managed. Windows Sandbox is a lightweight virtual machine created on demand to run applications in isolation, and it's available starting from Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise versions. Here's how you can manage this feature within a VMware Workstation:

Step 1: Check Virtualization Capabilities
Before you proceed, ensure that your system supports virtualization and that it's enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings. Additionally, your CPU must support Intel VT-x or AMD-V for hardware-assisted virtualization.

Step 2: Install VMware Workstation
If you haven't already, download and install the latest version of VMware Workstation on your host machine. This software will allow you to create and manage virtual machines.

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Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine
Open VMware Workstation and create a new virtual machine that will run Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. Follow the wizard to allocate resources such as memory and disk space.

Step 4: Enable Virtualization Extensions
For the virtual machine that will run Windows Sandbox, you need to enable virtualization extensions. To do this, go to the VM settings, navigate to the Processor settings, and check the box for "Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI."

Step 5: Install Windows Features
Once the virtual machine is set up and running, open the Control Panel in the Windows guest operating system. Go to "Programs" and then "Turn Windows features on or off." Scroll down to find "Windows Sandbox," and check the box to enable it. If you wish to disable it, simply uncheck the box.

Step 6: Restart the Virtual Machine
After changing the Windows features, you'll be prompted to restart the virtual machine. Save any work and restart the VM for the changes to take effect.

Step 7: Accessing Windows Sandbox
Post-restart, you can access Windows Sandbox through the Start menu. It will run in a separate window, providing an isolated environment for testing applications.

Step 8: Disabling Windows Sandbox (Optional)
If you decide to disable Windows Sandbox, repeat Step 5 but uncheck the "Windows Sandbox" option. Remember to restart the virtual machine to apply the changes.

By following these steps, you can easily toggle the Windows Sandbox feature on or off within a VMware Workstation virtual machine, allowing you to test software and browse the internet safely without risking your main system.

Understanding the Prerequisites for Running Windows Sandbox in VMware

Before diving into the process of enabling or disabling Windows Sandbox within a VMware environment, it's crucial to understand the prerequisites that your system must meet. First and foremost, you need to ensure that your hardware supports virtualization. This typically means having a CPU with Intel VT-x or AMD-V capabilities, which are essential for running nested virtualization – a virtual machine within another virtual machine.

Additionally, your system should be running on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise editions, as Windows Sandbox is not available on Home versions. You'll also need to have the latest version of VMware Workstation or VMware Player installed, which supports nested virtualization features. It's important to note that enabling Windows Sandbox might require BIOS settings adjustments to enable virtualization features if they aren't already active.

Lastly, ensure that you have sufficient RAM and CPU resources allocated to your VMware virtual machine. Windows Sandbox itself is quite resource-intensive, so running it within another VM will demand even more from your system. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores dedicated to the VMware VM to maintain smooth operation.

Step by Step Guide to Enabling Windows Sandbox in VMware

Enabling Windows Sandbox within a VMware virtual machine involves several key steps. To begin, power on your VMware VM and log into Windows. Then, open the Control Panel and navigate to 'Programs and Features'. On the left-hand side, click on 'Turn Windows features on or off'. In the list that appears, locate 'Windows Sandbox' and check the box next to it. Click 'OK' to initiate the installation process.

After the installation is complete, you may need to restart your VM. Once rebooted, you can access Windows Sandbox through the Start menu by typing 'Windows Sandbox' into the search bar. When you launch it for the first time, Windows will set up the sandbox environment, which is a temporary desktop instance where you can run untrusted applications without affecting your main system.

Keep in mind that when you enable Windows Sandbox, it might affect the performance of your host machine due to the additional overhead. Monitor your system's resources and adjust the allocation if necessary to ensure both the VM and the Sandbox operate efficiently.

Disabling Windows Sandbox When Not in Use

If you find that you no longer need Windows Sandbox or wish to free up system resources, disabling it is a straightforward process. Return to the 'Turn Windows features on or off' section within the Control Panel, as previously described. Uncheck the 'Windows Sandbox' option and click 'OK'. Your system will then remove the feature, which may take a few minutes.

Once the process is complete, you'll likely be prompted to restart your VM. It's important to do so to ensure that all traces of the Sandbox are fully removed and that your system resources are reallocated back to your primary VM environment.

Remember that disabling Windows Sandbox does not delete any data or applications within your main VMware virtual machine. It simply removes the sandboxed environment, thus preventing you from running isolated sessions until you re-enable the feature. Disabling Windows Sandbox when it's not in use can help improve overall VM performance and reduce unnecessary strain on your hardware.

Important questions

How can I enable Windows Sandbox within a VMware virtual machine?

To enable Windows Sandbox within a VMware virtual machine, you need to ensure that your VM is running on a host that supports nested virtualization. Here are the steps:

1. Verify that the VMware version you're using supports nested virtualization.
2. Enable Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI in the host machine's BIOS settings.
3. Configure the VMware virtual machine settings to expose hardware-assisted virtualization to the guest OS by editing the VM's .vmx file and adding the line: vhv.enable = "TRUE".
4. Ensure that your virtual machine is running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise version 1903 or later.
5. Inside the virtual machine, go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, and check the box for Windows Sandbox.
6. Restart the virtual machine to complete the installation.

Remember, running a sandbox within a virtual environment can be resource-intensive, so make sure your system has enough resources to handle it.

What are the necessary system requirements for running Windows Sandbox in a VMware environment?

To run Windows Sandbox in a VMware environment, you need:

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1. A 64-bit processor with at least two CPU cores.
2. Virtualization capabilities enabled in BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise (build 18305 or later) or Windows 11.
4. At least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended).
5. 1GB of free disk space (SSD recommended).

Ensure that the VMware version supports nested virtualization, as Windows Sandbox itself is a lightweight virtual machine.

Are there any specific VMware settings that need to be adjusted to disable Windows Sandbox?

To disable Windows Sandbox in VMware, you typically don't need to adjust VMware settings. Instead, you should disable the Windows Sandbox feature directly within Windows. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, and then uncheck Windows Sandbox. Ensure that virtualization is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings, as it's required for VMware to function properly.