Windows Sandbox is a security feature in Windows 11/10, which allows you to test applications and scrips safely. The feature lets users run untrusted applications inside an isolated, secure environment. Applications inside Sandbox cannot access actual hardware, memory, or storage when in Sandbox. In this post, I will share how you can test PS1, EXE, MSI installers in Windows Sandbox.
Test PS1, EXE, MSI installer in Windows Sandbox
You can use this method both on your computer for personal use or before deploying applications in the business environment using tools such as Deployment Toolkit. Before going ahead, you need to:
- Enable Windows Sandbox from Windows Features
- Add Context menu for Sandbox (third-party)
- Test Scripts and Applications in Sandbox
The third-party context menu is developed by Damien Van Robaeys and works well.
1] Enable Windows Sandbox from Windows Features
We have written an exhaustive guide on how you can enable the Windows Sandbox, and if you are using Windows Home, you can enable the feature on that version as well. Sandbox is supported on Vmware or Virtual Box. Lastly, you can use the Sandbox Configuration Manager to manage this feature.
2] Add Context menu for Sandbox (third-party)
The context menu allows you to open applications and scripts directly in Sandbox. You can download it from here. It works on Windows 10 v1903 and above. Once downloaded, run the script, and the sandbox context menu will become available.
The context menu adds two options—
- Run in Sandbox and
- Run in Sandbox with parameters.
3] Test scripts and installers in Sandbox
The parameters section allows you to perform silent installations in the Sandbox. You can also use it to install custom applications that need parameters during installations.
When you right-click a file, the options will change depending on the type of file. If you right-click on a PS script, you should Run PS1 in Sandbox, and if you do the same on an MSI file, you will have Run MSI in Sandbox or Run MASI in the Sandbox with options.
To install the application silently, use /S as the switch. You will get an input box to add your parameters. A sandbox config file will be generated on the desktop when you run with options. The Sandbox will automatically launch with the specific configuration. It is a WSB file with a startup command to run the particular file.
It’s an excellent tool for getting things done faster with the Windows Sandbox. You can read more at systanddeploy.com.
