How to Enable or Disable Sharing Host Folders with Windows Sandbox in Windows 11

Windows Sandbox is a tool that creates a safe, temporary space on your computer. It lets you run programs or visit websites without risking your actual files. Think of it as a disposable computer inside your real one. When you close it, everything inside is wiped clean.

Why use this? It keeps your main system safe from viruses and bad files. What happens when done? You get more control over how your files interact with this safe zone.

With Windows 11 build 27686.1000, Microsoft added the ability to share folders between your real computer and the sandbox. Follow these steps to turn this feature on or off.

Method 1: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

Note: This method requires administrator privileges.

1. Click the Start menu and search for Edit group policy. Open it.
2. Go to this path: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Sandbox.
3. Look on the right side and double-click Allow mapping folders into Windows Sandbox.

Choose one of the following:

• Not Configured: Uses the default Windows setting.
• Enabled: Allows you to share folders from your computer to the sandbox.
• Disabled: Blocks all folder sharing.

You can also choose to let the sandbox write changes to those folders using the options in that window.

Click OK and restart your computer to finish.

Method 2: Using the Windows Registry Editor

Note: This method requires administrator privileges.

You can also use the Windows Registry editor to change these settings. Open the Windows Registry and go to this path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Sandbox

On the right side, look for these two items:

• AllowMappedFolders
• AllowWriteToMappedFolders

If you don’t see them, right-click in an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name them exactly as shown above.

Double-click each item and set the value to 0 to turn off folder sharing. To turn it back on, delete these items or set them to 1.

Restart your computer to save your changes.

Summary

Sharing folders with your Windows Sandbox makes it easier to move files back and forth. You can control this feature using the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. Always remember that you must restart your computer for these changes to work. This helps you balance convenience with the security of your main computer system.