If you want to be able to test programs without affecting the functioning of your computer, you now have Windows Sandbox, a feature created to work in isolation without compromising the security of the local computer.
To do this, you have to have Sandbox activated on your computer so that it acts as a shield, keeping the program in question isolated while it tests its operation, thus preventing your Windows PC from becoming filled with viruses and threats.
Sandbox features:
- Have a kernel programmer, able to perform all control tasks directly.
- It has no third-party programs installed.
- Doesn't need a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) to work.
Any actions we take there will be automatically deleted when we leave it.
To have Sandbox on your computer you must have:
- 64-bit architecture
- Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise.
- Enable virtualization features in the BIOS or UEFI
- 1 GB of free disk space
- 2 core CPU minimo
- Memory RAM greater than 4 GB
How to install Sandbox in Windows 10 to test and run programs without certificates
As mentioned in the previous section, it is necessary that this program be able to test programs that come from unknown sources without damaging our computer's operating system by infecting it with viruses and threats.
To enable Sandbox you need to enable the virtualization features in the BIOS or UEFI. To do this, turn your computer off and on again. When it lights up, press «Canc – F2 – F12 – Esc». With each of these keys we can see a box with the inscription «Phoenix» o «Amercian Megatrends».
You have to go to Advanced, it is the second tab from the top of the box. Near "Intel VR", "VR-x" o "Virtualization technology". There select » started «.
Finally press F10 to exit, save changes and restart.
When the PC starts up, press the keys » Wind+R». A window will open in which you can see the programs already installed. Search on the left of the screen » Turn Windows features on or off ».
A text box will open with a list of items. You have to find and select " Windows Sandbox » and then " OK «.
You will see a loading bar and a legend above "Searching for necessary files" and when the process is complete “Windows has completed the required changes ". Click » Restart now ". It is located in the lower right corner of the box.
How to run unsafe programs in Sandbox
Once this feature is activated on our computer, we will be able to test and run programs without the need to install them or damage our PC.
To do this, once our computer has restarted, you can access the Sandbox from the beginning by pressing the Wind key. Click on it to open it. When you do, you will have a box where it will ask you «Do you want to allow this application to make changes to the device? click on "Yup «.
You can see that Sandbox it uses an independent space to function.
To know the security offered by the programs we download, copy to the Sandbox environment. Run to begin the installation process.
Remember not to close the Sandbox while you check the reliability of the programs, since, as mentioned above, all the activities that are performed within it will be automatically deleted.
Once you have verified that these programs are safe and will not harm a PC, you can install them with peace of mind.
If you have any questions about how to test and run unsafe programs without installing them on Windows 10 PC, let us know by leaving your comment.
