How to Use Windows Sandbox and VirtualBox VMs Simultaneously

Apply our detailed procedure right away

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Many users recently reported on various forums that they encountered issues when trying to use Windows Sandbox and VirtualBox VMs simultaneously.

The severity of this issue is further backed by the fact that many users consider that:

Some of us upgraded for one reason and one reason only – Windows Sandbox. However, as someone who uses VirtualBox on a daily basis for a literal plethora of reasons, this update was a nightmare until quite recently.

After much research involving several useful threads, they found a viable solution.

How can I use Windows Sandbox and VirtualBox VMs simultaneously on PC?

This solution is more of a workaround and is not backed by any official sources. and has the following steps:

  • Open cmd.exe with administrator rights
  • Type in the following command line:

bcdedit /copy {current} /d “Windows 10 – No Hyper-V”

This will create a new boot entry that is an exact copy of your active boot entry, but without Hyper-V.

  • Copy the GUID that was just issued you, and paste it somewhere safe, since losing it will just complicate things
  • Take the new GUID and paste it withing the following command line and execute it:

bcdedit /set {[NEW_GUID]} hypervisorlaunchtype off

  • Reboot your PC so that the changes can take effect

The difference now is that instead of just simply booting your Windows, you will enter the Windows Boot Manager.

  • You now have to choose the No-Hyper-V option.

This is how you can properly configure Windows Sandbox [EASY STEPS]


Reverting these changes

In case you want to revert the changes, the steps needed to be taken are a whole lot simpler:

  • Press the Windows Key + R
  • Type in msconfig in the search box
  • Proceed to the Boot Tab
  • Find the “No Hyper-V” boot entry, select it, and then click Delete.

This won’t delete the boot entry altogether, instead, it will make it so it no longer appears in the Windows Boot Manager as an option.

If this seems like too much work, you can just enable Windows Defender Sandbox and leave it at that.

More about the topics: VirtualBox