Sandboxie adds a new layer of security to the Windows operating system as it can run programs in a sandboxed environment so that they cannot manipulate data outside of that box. That’s the basic concept and it comes in handy in numerous occasions like executing downloaded programs in the sandbox to protect the rest of the system from them, enhanced privacy as the browser cache and website history stays in the sandboxed environment or running all Internet applications in the sandbox so that malware cannot affect the rest of the computer system.
Installation
Sandboxie is compatible with lots of 32-bit Windows operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. A 64-bit edition is not planned but 64-bit Windows 7 operating systems can run Sandboxie in Windows XP mode.
Installation itself takes less than a minute and ends with the display of the Sandboxie Control interface which is used to run and configure Sandboxie.
Sandboxie review
The Sandboxie interface consists of a menu bar on top and a larger area that lists the configured sandboxes. These sandboxes can either display the programs that have been started in a sandbox or the files and folders that are currently accessible in those sandboxes.
New programs can be launched in sandboxes in numerous ways including the Sandbox menu at the top of Sandboxie control or a right-click on the program icon in the Windows system tray (there are automated ways but more about that later). Another handy option is that programs can be launched in a sandbox with a right-click in Windows Explorer which is for example handy when installing new software.
The default web browser and email program can be started from the shortcuts offered in the Sandboxie menu. Other programs can be launched by browsing for them using the file browser or the start menu which is displayed in a minimalistic menu if the option is selected by the user.
Every sandboxed program window will displays a # at the beginning of the window which indicates to the user that the program is running in a sandboxed environment. The Is Window Sandboxed option in the File menu can also be used to check if a specific window is running sandboxed.
Data that is created in a sandbox stays in the sandbox. This can be temporary files, cookies, documents that are created or saved files from the Internet. It would not be very practical if there was not a way to exchange files between the sandbox and the rest of the computer system.
Sandboxie provides two options on how to deal with those files.
- Explore Contents: It is possible to launch a Windows Explorer window that gets access to the sandboxed files. This can be done by right-clicking a sandbox and selecting Explorer Contents. The same option is also available in the top menu under each sandbox entry.
- Quick Recovery: Quick Recovery, when executed by the user, automatically scans specific folders (My Documents, Desktop and Favorites) for files that have been created. These files can be recovered by the user to the same folder (of the normal system) or to any folder. There is also an option to add another folder to the list so that its contents are scanned as well.
- Immediate Recovery: An automated version of Quick Recovery which will automatically display a dialog if a new file has been discovered in one of the monitored folders.
Programs in a sandbox can be terminated by closing their program window, right-clicking them in the sandboxie control window. There is another option to close all programs at once that are running in the sandbox.
Each sandbox comes with its own custom set of options. All start with the same options at the beginning and can be customized by the user of the computer system.
This ranges from appearance changes (display a border around sandboxed windows instead of the # indicator), recovery options to add or remove monitored folders, force programs to start in the sandbox which will automatically launch selected programs in a sandboxed environment whenever they are started, restrictions (Internet access, hardware access..) and Resource access (files, registry, IPC, COM..)
And then there are application specific options that make it a little bit easier to work with Sandboxie. Observant users might have noticed that it can be difficulty to run specific programs that require write access like a desktop email client that wants to add the new emails to the mailbox. Sandboxie by default would prevent those write operations. That’s where the application specific settings come into play. Sandboxie provides those settings for web browsers, email readers, pdf and printing, security and privacy, download managers and many more. A lot of programs are listed in that menu from Internet browsers like Internet Explorer or Firefox to security programs like Kaspersky Internet Security or Norton Internet Security to Adobe Acrobat, Evernote and 7-zip.
An option to configure additional custom program rights is provided as well.
Verdict
Sandboxie is an indispensable program that protects a computer system effectively from harm. It is ideal for users who test new applications regularly, download files, spend lots of time on the Internet or simply want to protect their privacy by preventing write operations of temporary data to the computer system.
Christmas Giveaway
We have ten licenses of Sandboxie to give away. Please leave a comment and explain why you would like to win a license.
Raju is handing out licenses of JV16 Powertools 2009 today.
Related Articles:
Ghacks Christmas Giveaway: SandboxieSandboxie Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
Sandbox Programs With Sandboxie
Ghacks Christmas Giveaway: Returnil Premium
A Sandbox for Applications
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ using the icons below.
LOL! I’m a new IT student and spent most of my on my computer and on the internet trying to learn new things and software. when I see free software, I download it and install on my computer, there was a time My computer crashed due to the virus that I downloaded with the software. Therefore, I’ll really be very happy if I win this so that it can help me. thank you so much.
I am in for one,i tried it before and i find it very usefull.
It is the best software solution for browsing the internet, without risking infection of my machine with whatever rogue application, plugin, virus, spyware, etc. I am testing it for some time now and would like to get a license for it.
Sandboxie is very use full also for testing Programs without installing them in main system .
Why I want Sandboxie? Here’s why :
Currently works as a computer technician and each day need to troubleshoot PC mostly related to computer viruses, malwares and testing a few computer software. Need some sort of virtual space for testing purposes that so that there’s no need for me to reformat or restore my computer to its original state after I’ve totally screwed up my PC. Thanks in advance
I like it! I use the free version but it will be nice to have the registered version.
Being a software tester and giving advice’s i need to install lot of soft on my PC and also to keep my browsers always sandboxed
I need this,Plz count me in
Hopefully luck will favor to me this time.Christmas wishes for all.
I am presently using only Anti-Virus & a Firewall.
It will be great to get an additional layer of protection & I think Sandboxie would fit in well.
Please include me in your draw.
Thank you.
I would like this to keep me safe while trying out new software. Thanks
This will come in really handy to surf the internet safely. Thanks for a great offer. Hope I win.
Because nowdays i need to work (extra) save so i need a program like sanboxie to test my new programs or there save (a extra layer of protection). Next to that i think its much saver to run my webbrouwsers in sanboxie. So i really like to have this program.
Yeah, I want this
Sandboxie is a great piece of software, I would love to win this :)
Hi, I have heard a lot of good things about Sandboxie and I would like to win because it would help me have a more secure and a less error prone system.
I install a lot of different software, and it would be very useful to install some software in a virtual environment.
Pretty please?
Nice, I like this, hope I’ll be winner.
I want a license of Sandboxie because I like it.
Never used Sandboxie. People always mention it on a level with Returnil, which I installed on various occasions., only to uninstall it after a few weeks. Perhaps Sandboxie turns out to be a keeper.
you don’t know how many times I have to rebuild friends’ and family’s pc. Everytime, I would install sandboxie. I told them this is what you use if you want to watch online videos and just browse the web. I also recommend iCore Virtual Account if they have kids. Sandboxie is definitely a great program for home users, even if it doesn’t run on x64 due to kernel restriction. I think it used to be $20, but now it’s $40. Pricey? yes, worth it? So very yes. :) please spare me a license if you can. Thanks!
I want a license, because Sandboxie is the only reason, why I still stuck with x86 and dont install Windows 7 64bit!
i use trail version of Sandboxie and found that the application is light,useful
for me as i spend much time testing new programes
count me ,thanks
I am using the free version. I like sandbox. I can try alot of things with a worry. The only thing I an unable to use propoerly is to see registry changes. I hope the full version will have something to deal with that better than the free one.
Thanks
Heard great things about Sandboxie. I would like to have this, i also test software, malwares, and especially scareware. I currently using Returnil, but with this program i have to reboot the system. I need Sandboxie. Thanks. Merry Christmas.
I want this.
Please,make it mine.
Great software for testing various programs without installing them in main system, and an extra layer of protection.
Hope I win one.
I definitely do not want to miss this. Count me in.
Next to that i think its much saver to run my webbrouwsers in sanboxie. So i really like to have this program.Thanks a lot for your efforts.
This is an extra layer of protection for sure.
Hello.
Sandboxie is complementary to RVS (Returnil): they are essential !
Thank you.
Steph.