Sandbox
Access this feature from: Protection ▸ Sandbox
Sandbox allows you to run applications in a virtual, safe environment, completely isolated from the rest of your PC's system. This feature is useful when you want to run suspicious or untrusted applications without risk.
Note: Sandbox is only available in paid versions of Avast Antivirus.
Run applications in Sandbox
We recommend you run an application in Sandbox directly from Windows by right-clicking the application's icon and selecting Run in Sandbox from the context menu.
To run an application from the Sandbox screen:
- Click Run App in Sandbox.
- Locate the file (.exe) of the application you want to run, and click Open.
The application opens in a virtualized window indicated by colored borders or the label, "Avast Sandbox". - Click Close App to end the virtualized session for a particular application, or close the sandboxed application.
Note: Adjust visual options and context menu integration in Virtualization parameters located in Sandbox settings. Read more...
Specify automatic Sandbox applications
Right-click an application icon in Windows and select Always run in Sandbox from the context menu to add it to Virtual processes. Then, you can simply double-click the application's icon in Windows each time you want to run it in Sandbox.
To further manage which applications should always run in Sandbox:
- Go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Components ▸ Sandbox ▸ Customize.
- Select Virtualized processes from the left panel.
- Click Browse to locate the file (.exe) of the application you want to run automatically, then click OK.
- Double-click the application's icon in Windows to run it in Sandbox.
To add another application to the list, click Add. To remove an application, click the relevant row, then click Delete.
Note: You can also add folders containing several applications using Virtualized processes located in Sandbox settings. Read more...
Save files from sandboxed applications
All files acquired during a Sandbox session are deleted when you close the sandboxed application. If you want to keep certain files, you can save them to a folder specified in Exclusions located in Sandbox settings.
To exclude a folder from sandboxing:
- Go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Components ▸ Sandbox ▸ Customize.
- Select Exclusions from the left panel.
- Type the folder location manually into the text box or click Browse, tick the relevant folder, then click OK.
- Start sandboxed applications again for changes to take effect.
The folder which you specify in exclusions can now be used to permanently save files from sandboxed applications on your PC.
To add another folder to the list, click Add. To remove a folder, click the relevant row, then click Delete.
Note: We recommend you use caution when saving files from sandboxed applications to excluded locations. If the application running in Sandbox is malicious, saving a file to a location on your PC could be harmful.
Manage Sandbox settings
Configure your preferences for Sandbox in ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Components ▸ Sandbox ▸ Customize.
The following options are available:
- Parameters: manage visual settings that help distinguish between normal applications and virtualized applications. Additionally, access expert settings related to how applications are virtualized in your system.
- Sandbox storage: specify the location of your Sandbox storage.
- Web browsers: optimize virtualization and storage settings for browsers run in Sandbox.
- Virtualized processes: create a list of applications or folders containing applications for Sandbox to automatically virtualize.
- Privacy: specify which locations virtualized applications can access.
- Exclusions: create a list of applications that are never virtualized.
- Internet access: manage which virtualized applications can access the internet.
- Report file: specify whether you want Sandbox to produce reports of the virtualized applications.
Troubleshoot issues
If you cannot open certain web pages while using a web browser in Sandbox, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Components ▸ Sandbox ▸ Customize.
- Select Web Browsers from the left panel.
- In the Maintenance section, click Delete contents then click OK.