Sandboxie creates an isolated environment on Windows where a program can run, write files and modify the registry without any of those changes reaching the real system. It is commonly used to test unfamiliar downloads, browse untrusted websites, or keep a browser's temporary data from ever touching the host machine. Sophos, which had owned Sandboxie, released it as open-source software, and it is now maintained by the community as Sandboxie-Plus.
Sandboxing vs Antivirus Scanning
Antivirus software reacts to threats it can recognize, while sandboxing changes the question entirely: a program running inside Sandboxie simply cannot write outside its sandbox, whether or not it is flagged as malicious. This makes it a useful companion to antivirus software rather than a replacement, especially for testing a file you are not fully sure about before letting it near your real system.
Sandboxie Features
- Isolated sandboxes — run any program so its file and registry writes are redirected away from the real system
- One-click sandbox delete — wipe everything a sandboxed program created in a single action
- Multiple named sandboxes — keep separate sandboxes for different browsers or use cases
- Force programs into a sandbox — automatically route specific applications through Sandboxie every time they run
- Browser isolation — run a web browser sandboxed to contain drive-by downloads and tracking data
- Open-source codebase — developed publicly as Sandboxie-Plus with community contributions
- Low system overhead — isolation happens at the file-system and registry level rather than through a full virtual machine
How to Install Sandboxie on Windows
- Download the installer from the official download page or the button on this page.
- Run the setup file and follow the installation wizard.
- Restart your PC if prompted, since Sandboxie installs a system driver.
- Open Sandboxie-Plus and create or use the default sandbox.
- Right-click a program and choose to run it sandboxed.
Is Sandboxie really free?
Open Source. Sandboxie was released as free, open-source software after Sophos discontinued it as a commercial product; it is now developed by the community as Sandboxie-Plus at no cost.
How to download Sandboxie safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.sandboxie-plus.com — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Sandboxie. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Sandboxie
Other free antivirus & security software worth comparing before you decide:
Sophos Home Free
Free antivirus and malware protection for home use.
VirtualBox
Free, open-source virtual machine software for running isolated operating systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sandboxie still being developed?
Yes, after Sophos open-sourced it, development continues under the community-led Sandboxie-Plus project.
Is Sandboxie free?
Yes, Sandboxie is free and open source.
Does Sandboxie replace antivirus software?
No, it isolates programs from the real system but does not scan for or remove malware, so it works best alongside antivirus software.
Can Sandboxie sandbox a web browser?
Yes, running a browser inside a sandbox is one of its most common uses, containing downloads and temporary browsing data.
Is there a Mac or Linux version of Sandboxie?
No, Sandboxie is Windows only.
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Sandboxie is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from www.sandboxie-plus.com.
