Virtualization Enable or Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox in Windows 11


Windows_Sandbox_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable networking in Windows Sandbox for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

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 app.

Networking in Windows Sandbox is done by creating a virtual switch on the host (Windows 10/11), and connects the Windows Sandbox to it via a virtual NIC.

Disabling network access can decrease the attack surface exposed by the Sandbox. Enabling networking can expose untrusted applications to the internal network.

References:
learn.microsoft.com

Windows Sandbox

Windows Sandbox overview
learn.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com

WindowsSandbox Policy CSP

Learn more about the WindowsSandbox Area in Policy CSP.
learn.microsoft.com


Windows Sandbox is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable networking in Windows Sandbox.



Contents

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox using REG file


EXAMPLE: Notification when opening the Windows Sandbox app with networking disabled

Windows_Sandbox_notification.png






OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox in Local Group Policy Editor


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Sandbox​

Networking_in_Windows_Sandbox_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Windows Sandbox in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow networking in Windows Sandbox policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

5 Enable Networking in Windows Sandbox

This is the default setting.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

Networking_in_Windows_Sandbox_gpedit-2.png

6 Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox

A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

Networking_in_Windows_Sandbox_gpedit-3.png

7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.

8 If the Windows Sandbox app is currently open, then close and reopen the Windows Sandbox app to apply.





OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox using REG file


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable Networking in Windows Sandbox

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_networking_in_Windows_Sandbox.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Sandbox]
"AllowNetworking"=-

3 Disable Networking in Windows Sandbox

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_networking_in_Windows_Sandbox.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Sandbox]
"AllowNetworking"=dword:00000000

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 If the Windows Sandbox app is currently open, then close and reopen the Windows Sandbox app to apply.

8 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Hi Shawn,

I am having trouble getting internet access in Sandbox. I enabled networking in GP, but it seems to be stuck on Airplane mode (since it is greyed out in the "taskbar quick access"(?)). I tried to change the settings for the network adapter, but the window never comes up when clicked on in Control Panel. Also, I cannot reset it either. Any leads in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

tecknot
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (b 19045.5487) & Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (b 22631.4890)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad Workstation P72
    CPU
    Intel i7 8750H @ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 01YU291
    Memory
    16 GB (all Samsung) DDR4-3200 SODIMM (non-ECC) PCIe 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630 & NVIDIA Quadro P600
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3286
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3"
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD Samsung 860 EVO SATA 3
    1TB SSD Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe PCIe 3 x 4
    1TB SSD Samsung 980 M.2 NVMe PCIe 3 x 4
    PSU
    230W
    Cooling
    fan
    Keyboard
    UltraNav
    Mouse
    Kensington wireless Orbit
    Internet Speed
    640Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    CM246 Chipset
tecknot said:
Hi Shawn,

I am having trouble getting internet access in Sandbox. I enabled networking in GP, but it seems to be stuck on Airplane mode (since it is greyed out in the "taskbar quick access"(?)). I tried to change the settings for the network adapter, but the window never comes up when clicked on in Control Panel. Also, I cannot reset it either. Any leads in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

tecknot
Click to expand...

Hello mate, :alien:

You can see if an option in the tutorial below may allow you to turn off Airplane mode.

www.elevenforum.com

Turn On or Off Airplane Mode in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off Airplane mode to quickly turn on or off all wireless devices communication on your Windows 11 PC. Airplane mode (aka: flight mode) gives you a quick way to turn off all wireless devices communication on your PC. Some examples of wireless devices...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hi Shawn,

Thanks for the tutorial. I think I may have a bigger problem as the download file did not work in disabling airplane mode.

Kind regards,

tecknot
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual boot Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (b 19045.5487) & Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (b 22631.4890)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad Workstation P72
    CPU
    Intel i7 8750H @ 2.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 01YU291
    Memory
    16 GB (all Samsung) DDR4-3200 SODIMM (non-ECC) PCIe 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 630 & NVIDIA Quadro P600
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3286
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3"
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD Samsung 860 EVO SATA 3
    1TB SSD Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe PCIe 3 x 4
    1TB SSD Samsung 980 M.2 NVMe PCIe 3 x 4
    PSU
    230W
    Cooling
    fan
    Keyboard
    UltraNav
    Mouse
    Kensington wireless Orbit
    Internet Speed
    640Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    CM246 Chipset
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