What's it all for?

[Unknown_User_457]

Hello there,

I just recently came across Sanboxie by accident - and I've come to realize that this must be the best software discovery I've made in ages!
I have always been looking for a program that would allow me to do exactly what Sandboxie does: Install any program, but without permanently cluttering my Windows installation. (So I'm actually less concerned about safe browsing and similar issues, which seems to be the primary purpose of Sandboxie.)

However, I'm a little unsure about what exactly Sandboxie is capable of; from what I've read in the FAQ, installing drivers won't work with Sandboxie (too bad - I'd love to be able to test the latest graphics drivers and such, but retain the option to go back to the previous setup without any hassle).
But anything else - e.g. demos of games, software installers - should work just fine, right?

I'd appreciate some insight from the pros here...

[Joker]

I totally second that; Sandboxie is a great program, but I'm also not sure what exactly it's capable of.

Also, is there any negative impact on performance (e.g. when installing game demos)?

[Joker]

Anyone, please?

[Unknown_User_479]

Joker-I've just started using SB, and have not seen any slowdown or negative impact on any programs I've tried, including game demos. There are occasionally programs that just won't play nice with SB, but I reckon that's true of any software. I use it mainly for trying out programs to see if I want to keep them or not, whether they'll cause compatibility programs, or for downloading things that I know will leave a mess behind when uninstalled (ie some games i've tried have left tons of crap behind). Deleting the sandbox leaves your computer like the program was never there ('cuz it wasn't). Was there something more specific you wanted to know?

[mizzmona]

Initially (and primarily still), I use it to run a second instance of Proxomitron (separate program folders, separate ports, usually chained, and with the sandboxed instance having an OpenFilePath to its program folder). I'd been looking for a way to run another instance of Prox for quite some time, and when I happened onto Sandboxie, it was the first thing I tried. It worked! I was happy. Could have left it at that.

But, like Bumpy, I now also use it for "test driving" other programs before installing them permanently. I can't count the times I've downloaded and installed programs that failed expectations; but since Sandboxie, I no longer waste my time uninstalling such programs... or chasing down remnants... or "rolling back"... or doctoring the system after a particularly bad apple.

Although, some folks are using Sandboxie to create portable versions of non-portable programs. Now, that's just amazing.

Of course, not all programs can be installed in the sandbox. Sandboxie's not a full-blown virtual environment having its own operating system, so naturally, there will be some things "outside" of its capabilities.

Still, such a tiny program, doing a giant's work! Only one other program's impressed me as much... and now they play well together. How cool is that?

-M

[soccerfan]

mizzmona:

I am a novice user of proxomitron and wonder if you could explain in more detail how one goes about having a second instance of proxomitron that is sandboxed and how to select a different port (other than the default 8080).

What would be the use for such a setup?

TIA
soccerfan

[mizzmona]

Hi soccerfan,

I already noted how to set it up for Sandboxie in my previous post, not sure what else to add. You can change Prox's port under the HTTP tab in the Config preference settings, or close Proxomitron and modify the config directly in a text editor (the port setting is in the Global section).

As for uses, I can think of several offhand.

For instance, the sandbox is a handy place to test or develop filters (test under different configs, play with iffy routines, even kill the process if need be), all without disturbing the regular non-sandboxed Proxomitron or its config...

Or, use a second instance to have a separate config for the sandboxed browsers (or separate configs for browser brands, or separate configs for other type programs having http access)...

Or, use the pc-side Prox to chain and (re)direct requests to the net-side Prox (regularly or under special circumstances) for alternative or additional filtering -- or the net-side Prox could work on resolving code (like javascript) or converting whole pages (like unicode), or simply hold an extensive collection of site-specific filters...

Or, use two Proxomitrons chained off both sides of another local proxy (not Proxomitron) for whatever reason...

It's just, new possibilities have opened since Sandboxie can run a second (or third, or fourth...) instance of Proxomitron, and I'm only scratching the surface of potential uses here. But, this really isn't something for newbies to try. I strongly recommend learning the basics first, both Proxomitron and Sandboxie, before moving into such things. (Proxomitron groups are available should you need more help with it.)

Take care,

-M

[soccerfan]

Mizzmona,

Thanks for the lucid explanation.

For instance, the sandbox is a handy place to test or develop filters (test under different configs, play with iffy routines, even kill the process if need be), all without disturbing the regular non-sandboxed Proxomitron or its config...

This is what I was interested in exploring. I'm using sidki's filter set and wanted to try out some changes without disturbing my setup. I'll start lurking on the castlecops proxo forums.
Cheers.

[mizzmona]

I already noted how to set it up for Sandboxie in my previous post, not sure what else to add.

Hm, well, I did only mention how I had it set up.

A simple way would be to start Proxomitron with "Run Sandboxed"... and not have any OpenFilePath entries in Sandboxie's config (but, if the sandbox contents were deleted, there'd go your work).

If using the registered version, you can do the same, but in a sandbox just for Prox. If you create a shortcut to open it there, that would be handy (otherwise, one has to remember to switch to the Prox sandbox to run it and then switch back). If the sandbox were named ProxoBox, the shortcut's Target might then look something like:

"C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\Start.exe" /box:ProxoBox "C:\Program Files\Proxomitron\proxomitron.exe"

-M

[soccerfan]

mizzmona,

I'm using an unregistered version of sandboxie 2.64 running 'portable' as per a compiled version of the script by pablo posted here:

http://sandboxie.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=198&start=60

I have put a shortcut for it in the right-click menu (sendto) and that seems to work for any programs I want to run sandboxed. Of course, the unregistered version has only one defaultbox. However, your idea will come in handy when I register.
Thanks again,

soccerfan

[Unknown_User_457]

Sorry for replying so late; I'd considered this thread dead, and for some reason the e-mail notification doesn't seem to work...
Anyways, I appreciate the responses!

Of course, not all programs can be installed in the sandbox. Sandboxie's not a full-blown virtual environment having its own operating system, so naturally, there will be some things "outside" of its capabilities.

Well, will Sandboxie notify me before such problems arise, or is it possible that a certain installer (e.g. for a driver) just ignores Sandboxie and thus possibly messes up my system anyway? That could, of course, have catastrophic consequences...

Joker-I've just started using SB, and have not seen any slowdown or negative impact on any programs I've tried, including game demos.

That's nice to hear.

I'll have to re-install Windows in the next few days anyway (using nLite, natch), and Sandboxie will now definitely be one of the first things to install on this clean system (somewhat ironically, that'll mean I won't have to re-install Windows on a regular basis anymore).

[Unknown_User_505]

I agree that Sandboxie is a great program

[mizzmona]

Of course, not all programs can be installed in the sandbox. Sandboxie's not a full-blown virtual environment having its own operating system, so naturally, there will be some things "outside" of its capabilities.

Well, will Sandboxie notify me before such problems arise, or is it possible that a certain installer (e.g. for a driver) just ignores Sandboxie and thus possibly messes up my system anyway? That could, of course, have catastrophic consequences...

It's been my experience that Sandboxie notifies when drivers were not allowed to be installed. There is also info in the FAQ on how it works.

-M

[Unknown_User_457]

Thanks, that's good to know!

(Just for the record: I did RTFF, but couldn't really get a definite answer from it... )