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Will Sandbox keep Windows 10 safe?

Q When Windows 10 support stops, would it be safe to browse in Windows Sandbox? My current PC has been excellent for browsing the web and email use. I know that any software I install in Sandbox is deleted on shutdown, but the only software that I would have to reload immediately after each reboot is Bitwarden password manager. My PC works so well that I do not wish to give it up, but am slightly against using the methods to bypass the Windows 11 minimum specs – as I suspect that ongoing upgrades will stop soon and that might just be the thin end of the wedge. Or would that be safer than Windows 10 Sandbox?

David Roy

A Let’s start with Windows 10 support, which is scheduled to end in October 2025 (pictured above right).

Based on past behaviour, we would be astounded if Microsoft actually wrote off the operating system completely come that date. In fact, we’d expect a couple of years of security updates beyond that supposed cut-off point. This is because millions of people will continue using Windows 10 for many years beyond 2025, whether or not Microsoft likes it – it would be terrible publicity for the firm to expose all those users to risks it was able to fix. This has always been the way, for as long as Windows has existed. So, for the 2025 end of Windows 10 support, read 2027 at least.

So, your question will really become relevant only if you’re still using your 2015-era PC in 2027. You might be, of course, and so we’re happy to answer. And the answer in principle is no, it won’t be safe.

Why? Because, while Windows Sandbox (pictured below, available in Pro only, not Home) is currently considered an incredibly safe way of trying stuff you don’t want to risk in the ‘real’ operating system, in a theoretical