Sandbox is a virtualization tool in Avast Premium Security and Avast Omni that allows you to browse the web or 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.
Run applications in Sandbox
You can run an application in Sandbox using the Windows context menu or via the Sandbox screen in your Avast Antivirus.
- Locate the .exe file of the application you want to run.
- Right-click on the application icon and select Run in sandbox from the context menu.
- Open Avast Antivirus and go to Protection ▸ Sandbox.
- Click Run App in Sandbox.
- Select the application file (.exe) and click Open.
The application opens in a virtualized window indicated by a colored border and the label Avast Sandbox. To end the virtualized session, click the X icon in the top-right corner of the window to close the app.
Specify automatic Sandbox applications
You can set up specific applications to always run in Sandbox. This can be done using the Windows context menu or via the Sandbox screen in Avast Antivirus.
- Locate the .exe file of the application you want to always run in Sandbox.
- Right-click on the application icon and select Always run in sandbox from the context menu.
- Open Avast Antivirus and go to
☰Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Protection ▸ Sandbox. - Click + Add App.
- Select an app using either of the methods below:
- Click on an application in the list to instantly add it.
- Click Select App Path, then select the application and click Open.
- Your selected application is added. Click the X in the top-right corner of the screen to return to the Sandbox settings screen.
The application will now automatically run in Sandbox every time you open the application.
Manage Sandbox settings
To access Sandbox settings, click the 
Settings icon in the top-right of the Sandbox screen, or go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ Protection ▸ Sandbox.
The following options are enabled by default. To disable a setting, untick the box next to the relevant option:
- Show Avast Sandbox in the Windows context menu: Allows you to right-click on an application icon and select Run in sandbox. Disabling this option removes the Sandbox commands from the Windows context menu.
- Allow all virtualized applications to access the internet: Applications running in Sandbox are able to access the internet. Disabling this option stops applications from accessing the internet in Sandbox.
- Save trusted downloaded files outside the sandbox: When using a web browser in Sandbox, files that you download are saved to your PC, outside of the Sandbox environment. This allows you to keep the downloaded files after closing the Sandbox window. Disabling this option results in downloaded files being automatically deleted when you close the Sandbox session.
For information about advanced Sandbox settings, refer to the following article:
- Avast Omni 1.x
- Avast Premium Security 20.x
- Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - Service Pack 2, 32 / 64-bit