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How to Share Files Between Windows Sandbox and Your PC Safely

Use clipboard sharing for occasional transfers, a read-only mapped folder for repeated access, or the Windows 11 24H2 CLI for a running session. Learn how to limit host and network exposure.
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For the safest file transfer, expose only the files Sandbox needs: use clipboard copy and paste for a one-off transfer, or map a specific host folder as read-only for repeated access. Disable networking when inspecting a file that does not need it. Treat any writable mapped folder as host storage: changes made inside Sandbox remain after the session is disposed.

Choose the right way to share

Method Best for Host access and persistence Availability
Clipboard copy and paste A small, occasional transfer Transfers selected content; it does not provide continuing access to a host folder. Clipboard redirection is enabled by default in the documented configuration and can be disabled. Windows Sandbox configuration supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, starting with Windows 10 build 18342, subject to device policy and configuration.
Mapped folder in a .wsb file Repeated access to a particular folder, especially when the sandbox should only read its contents Read-only mapping prevents Sandbox from writing to that mapped host folder. A writable mapping exposes host storage, and changes persist after Sandbox closes. Windows Sandbox configuration supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, starting with Windows 10 build 18342.
wsb share command Sharing a folder with a Sandbox session that is already running Read-only by default; adding --allow-write permits writes to the host folder. Microsoft documents these CLI capabilities starting with Windows 11 version 24H2.

For a small transfer, copy the file on the host and paste it into Sandbox. Microsoft documents clipboard file transfer, but the feature may be restricted by configuration or policy. See Microsoft’s Windows Sandbox configuration guide.

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Safely open a host file with a read-only mapped folder

A mapped folder is useful when you want Sandbox to access one existing host folder without granting it write access. Microsoft warns that mapped files and folders can be compromised by apps in Sandbox or potentially affect the host; writable changes persist after the session is disposed. Map only what the task requires.

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  1. Create or choose the specific host folder you want to expose. It must already exist before Sandbox starts.
  2. Open a plain-text editor and enter this configuration, replacing the example host path with the full path to your folder:
<Configuration>
  <Networking>Disable</Networking>
  <MappedFolders>
    <MappedFolder>
      <HostFolder>C:UsersYourNameDownloads</HostFolder>
      <SandboxFolder>C:HostFiles</SandboxFolder>
      <ReadOnly>true</ReadOnly>
    </MappedFolder>
  </MappedFolders>
</Configuration>
  1. Save the file with a .wsb extension, then double-click it to launch Sandbox with those settings. In Notepad, you may need to put the filename in quotation marks in the Save As dialog to preserve the extension.
  2. In Sandbox, open C:HostFiles to access the mapped folder’s contents.

The configuration disables networking as well as making the mapping read-only. Microsoft’s sample for testing an unknown download uses this combination for the host Downloads folder. The sandbox destination is created if it does not exist; if the host folder does not exist, Sandbox fails to start. Relative host paths are not supported in the configuration documentation. Windows 11 23H2 and later supports environment variables in paths. Details and additional configuration options are in Microsoft’s configuration guide and sample configuration files.

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Allow write-back only when you need it

If the task must produce files for the host, use a dedicated, empty exchange folder rather than mapping a broad personal folder. A writable mapping is not temporary: changes made in it during the Sandbox session persist on the host after Sandbox is disposed. Do not enable writes for an input folder that only needs to be read.

Share a folder with a running Sandbox using the CLI

On a supported host, Microsoft documents this command for sharing a host folder with a running session:

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wsb share --id <id> -f <host-path> -s <sandbox-path>

Replace <id> with the session ID and provide the host and Sandbox paths. The share is read-only unless you include --allow-write, which grants write access to the host folder. Microsoft lists the CLI capabilities, including wsb share, for Windows 11 version 24H2 and later. Consult the Windows Sandbox command-line documentation for the command’s current usage and requirements.

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Reduce exposure during file inspection

Networking is enabled by default in the documented configuration. Microsoft warns that networking can expose untrusted applications in Sandbox to the internal network. For an inspection task that does not require connectivity, use <Networking>Disable</Networking> in the .wsb file, as in the example above. The trade-off is that applications inside Sandbox cannot use the network for that task.

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Keep the share narrow, too: map only the folder needed, and make it read-only unless writing back is essential. Microsoft’s Windows Sandbox overview recommends disabling networking and mapping the folder containing the file or application in read-only mode to improve safety.

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Control clipboard and resolve common issues

Clipboard redirection is enabled by default in the documented configuration. To prevent copying and pasting between host and Sandbox, add this setting to a .wsb file:

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<ClipboardRedirection>Disable</ClipboardRedirection>

Administrators can also manage clipboard sharing through the Windows Sandbox policy setting. Policy changes require restarting Sandbox to take effect. A managed device may also have policy restrictions on clipboard sharing or mapped folders, so contact the administrator if an option is unavailable. See the WindowsSandbox Policy CSP.

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  • Sandbox will not start: Check that the mapped host folder exists and that the .wsb file contains a valid configuration. A missing host folder causes startup failure.
  • The folder is missing inside Sandbox: Check the configured <SandboxFolder> path. Sandbox creates the destination when needed, so it does not need to exist beforehand.
  • Clipboard or mapped-folder sharing is unavailable: Check the .wsb settings and whether device policy restricts the feature. Some configured logon commands can also restrict copying and pasting files in or out.
  • The CLI command is unavailable: The documented wsb share workflow starts with Windows 11 version 24H2; use clipboard transfer or a .wsb mapped folder if the host does not support it.

For configuration syntax and supported options, use Microsoft’s Windows Sandbox configuration documentation.

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