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What is Windows Sandbox?

Windows Sandbox provides a lightweight desktop environment to safely run applications in isolation. Software installed inside the Windows Sandbox environment remains “sandboxed” and runs separately from the host machine.

A sandbox is temporary. When it’s closed, all the software and files and the state are deleted. You get a brand-new instance of the sandbox every time you open the application. Note, however, that as of Windows 11, version 22H2, your data persists through a restart initiated from inside the virtualized environment—useful for installing applications that require the OS to reboot.

Software and applications installed on the host aren’t directly available in the sandbox. If you need specific applications available inside the Windows Sandbox environment, they must be explicitly installed within the environment.

🔗 For more information about Windows Sandbox, visit the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-isolation/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-overview

Limitations – Yes, maybe (Just try it 😊)

Some applications may not work properly like expected or simply not run in the sandbox environment, but for testing the deployment process with the Deployment Editor, Windows Sandbox is a great choice and easy to install.

Enable the Windows Feature & Test

➡️ All you need to do is turn on the Windows Sandbox feature and reboot – as simple as that:

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After you have rebooted your host machine, you will find a new shortcut called ‘Windows Sandbox’ in the Start menu. As soon as you click on it, it will prepare the light sandbox environment (incredible fast!) and start a remote session:

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Deployment Editor

The Deployment Editor now supports ‘Run in Windows Sandbox’ and provides an easy way to test your sequence/package with PSADT in Windows Sandbox. Once you have clicked on Run > Run Installation in Windows Sandbox, Windows Sandbox will be launched and the installation process will start automatically.

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