How To Create A Shared Folder In Windows 10

With configuration files, you can create shared folder betwixt Windows Sandbox and host OS. Here're the steps to map folder to Windows Sandbox in Windows 10.

I of the best things in the latest Windows 10 update is the Windows Sandbox. The sandbox allows you to launch total Windows in a virtual environment so that you tin can test untrusted software or settings before applying them to the actual system. When you close the sandbox, all changes are lost. This keeps the system safe and secure from malicious software and unwanted changes. Compared to alternatives like VMware or VirtualBox, Windows Sandbox is lightweight and like shooting fish in a barrel to use.

You can enable Windows Sandbox from the Windows Features panel. Once enabled, launch information technology from the Beginning menu and you are good to go. There is no need for any complicated setup. That being said, being lightweight ways a compromise in terms of features. To deal with this Microsoft introduced the Windows Sandbox configuration file. Using the configuration files, you lot can practise a lot of things like adding shared folders, virtual graphics, networking, startup scripts, etc.

For case, to share files between host and Windows Sandbox, you tin can create a shared folder in Windows Sandbox. The shared folder gives you greater control over how and which files or data to share.

In this quick guide, let me show the process to share a folder with Windows Sandbox in Windows 10.

Windows Sandbox Shared Folder

These are the steps to follow to create shared folder between Windows Sandbox and Windows 10.

Open File Explorer with "Windows Key + E" keyboard shortcut.
Go to C drive.
Right-click and select "New → Binder" to create a folder.
Type "WS Config Files" as the folder proper name.
Open the folder you just created.
Right-click and select "New → Text Document" to create a text file.
Rename the file to "MappedFolders.wsb". You tin proper name the file anything yous want but it is important that you replace .txt extension with .wsb.
Open the WSB file with Notepad. Right-click on the file and select "Open with → Notepad".

Copy the below code and paste it in the Notepad. Replace the dummy folder path with the actual path of the binder you want to share or map.

<Configuration>
                    <MappedFolders>
                    <MappedFolder>
                    <HostFolder>C:\Path\to\Folder</HostFolder>
                    <ReadOnly>false</ReadOnly>
                    </MappedFolder>
                    </MappedFolders>
</Configuration>

If y'all desire the shared folder to be read-only, change the value from false to true on line 5.
Save the file with the "Ctrl + S" keyboard shortcut.
Close the Notepad.
At present, double-click on the "MappedFolders.wsb" file to launch Windows Sandbox.
After launching the sandbox, you volition come across the shared folder directly on the Desktop.
You can open it like any other folder.

Dissimilar regular Windows, Windows Sandbox mounts the shared folders straight on the desktop. That is the reason why you see the shared binder on the desktop rather than in the Network panel in File Explorer.

Y'all can map multiple folders in Windows Sandbox. All y'all accept to do is duplicate the <MappedFolder> tab in the higher up code. This is how it looks like when you add multiple shared folders in Windows Sandbox.

<Configuration>
                <MappedFolders>
                <MappedFolder>
                <HostFolder>C:\Path\to\Folder1</HostFolder>
                <ReadOnly>false</ReadOnly>
                </MappedFolder>
                <MappedFolder>
                <HostFolder>C:\Path\to\Folder2</HostFolder>
                <ReadOnly>truthful</ReadOnly>
                </MappedFolder>
                <MappedFolder>
                <HostFolder>C:\Path\to\Folder3</HostFolder>
                <ReadOnly>false</ReadOnly>
                </MappedFolder>
                </MappedFolders>
</Configuration>

As you tin see, all we did was duplicate the MappedFolder tag in the code. Y'all tin likewise fix the read-only fashion for each mapped folder individually. Alternatively, you lot tin also create multiple configuration files for each shared folder.

Important note: To admission the shared folders in Windows Sandbox, you have to launch it using the configuration file. If you launch Windows Sandbox directly from the Start card, yous will non run into the shared folders.

FAQ: Windows Sandbox Mapped Shared Folders

Tin can I share folders with Windows Sandbox?

Yep. You tin can share whatsoever Windows folder with Windows Sandbox using the configuration files. You tin can detect the steps to create Windows Sandbox Mapped Folder configuration file higher up.

How to protect Windows Sandbox shared folder?

To protect host folders, yous tin can set the shared folders in read-only mode. When in read-but style, Windows Sandbox cannot write or change information in the shared binder.

Can I share multiple folders with Windows Sandbox?

Yes. Using the same configuration file, you tin map multiple folders. Instructions on how you can practise information technology can be found above.

I promise that helps. If you are stuck or demand some assistance, comment below and I will try to assist as much as possible.