RidwanA.com

here are some sandbox environment outside virtual OS like virtual PC virtualbox or vmware. I took the explanation from their own website.

Deep Freeze Standard v6.30.20.1818 - 3,34 MB -- US$ 36

Building on the power of Deep Freeze Standard, Deep Freeze Enterprise offers centralized deployment and enhanced flexibility options for customizable management of large computing environments.

Security and Control

* Encrypt all components with a unique Customization Code

* Preset multiple passwords to be used on a workstation or via the Command Line Control with varying activation and expiration dates

* Generate encrypted One Time or One Day Passwords

* Disable keyboard and mouse during maintenance periods or on demand

* Boot Control window provides ability for immediate reboot

Features:

Configuring Options

* Create customized installation files using the Configuration Administrator

* Pre-select Frozen Drives and selectively Freeze or Thaw fixed drives

* Schedule automatic Restart/Shutdown times

* Restart computer on Logoff

* Schedule idle shutdowns or restarts after a preset length of time that the workstation has been inactive

* Schedule Thawed Maintenance periods to perform Windows updates through the Internet or a SUS/WSUS server or run a custom batch file to update your antivirus definitions

* Schedule Send Message tasks

Flexibility Options

* Create a ThawSpace on a workstation that can be used to store programs, save files, or make permanent changes

* Specify the size and file system of the ThawSpace (up to 100GB using NTFS)

* Use Stealth Mode to hide the Deep Freeze system tray icon

* Override ongoing maintenance periods

Action Files

* Create XML-based Deep Freeze Action Files to interact with other programs via the Deep Freeze Console

* Administrators will be able to create, edit, download and share Action Files with other users through Faronics Labs

Expanded Network Options

* Communicate with workstations over a LAN, WAN, or combination

* Support for multiple ports

* Instantly send notification messages to workstations

* Check for software updates and upgrade Deep Freeze installations on demand with the most recent releases

Powerful and secure, Deep Freeze is a robust software solution that offers protection and security for all computing environments.

free personal edition:

The Returnil Virtual System:

> Keeps your System Partition safe when browsing the Internet

> Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Adware, Spyware, and unwanted content disappear with a simple reboot

> Enforces settings and protects your internet privacy

> Helps reduce overall disk wear by using memory rather than HDD cloning technology

> Saves you time, money, and lost hair by maintaining or improving peak computer performance

> Reduces or eliminates the need for routine disk de-fragmentation of your system partition

> Your spam filter is strong, but not infallible – Returnil will eliminate the consequences of opening infected e-mail and/or attachments

> Leaves absolutely no traces of computer activities

> Eliminates all activities even if your computer is powered-off or crashes

> Eliminates the danger of evaluating new software that does not require a reboot to install

> Offers stronger, simpler and smarter protection for your PC

> Seamless integration with supported Windows Operating Systems

> Easy to use, simple to configure, and the one tool in your arsenal that will be there to save the day when all else fails!

non whole system protection sandbox environment alternative:

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS)

Description: Altiris Software Virtualization Solution (SVS) allows you to install and run programs virtually so that they do not reside on your system but in a virtual ’layer’ which you can switch on or off at will. It enables you to test an application and completely ’turn it off’ if you choose without altering the Windows installation. It also enables you to avoid conflicts/.dll conflicts between applications. Alitiris SVS is free for home, non-commercial use.

Here’s how Altiris SVS works:

* Before installing the application in question, run Altiris SVS and create a new virtual layer (a layer is the program’s terminology for the virtual ’space’ that the program will exist in). All other virtual layers have to be turned off.

* Browse to the new application installer from within SVS. Note that you have the option of capturing all the change made to the system by the application or capturing all the changes made to the system even if these were not made by the application you installing.

* That’s it. The program will now be listed in Altiris SVS’s interface, and can be turned on and off.

Sandboxie

Description: Sandboxie is a program that can create a ’Sandboxed’ environment on your PC within-which you can install and/or run programs or browse the net. Any data writing operations that the Sandboxed applications perform can then be rolled back and/or eliminated. The net effect of this is to create a kind of undo mechanism that can be used to test out programs without damaging the system or surf the web without risk of infecting the system with any kind of malware.

The Sandboxie User Interface: after installing Sandboxie, it creates a “run sandboxed” entry in the Windows context menu and an icon in the system tray from-which it can be accessed. You can then right-click on any application shortcut and choose to run it within the Sandbox environment straight from the context menu, or use the system tray icon which provides a menu with multitude of different options, and which can be used to launch the main program dialog.

Sandboxie has a functional but rather uninspired UI. It is the one aspect of the program where I thought “this can be so much better”. A more dynamic main page could have made this program (which really is simple and straightforward) that much less intimidating-looking to average users.

Potential uses for Sandboxie:

* Browsing the internet in a Sandboxed environment: this allows you to get rid of any spyware/malware that you may be exposed to, simply by deleting the sandbox contents after your browsing session.

* Testing programs/applications: you can install and use a program in the Sandbox; once you exit Sandboxie or switch to a different Sanbox the program and all its activity will disappear from your system. Unless you delete the Sandbox and/or its contents, you can always go back and run the program from the Sandbox. (In this way it is very similar to Altiris SVS; in fact, the ’virtualization’ principle underlying both is essentially the same).

* It may be possible to use Sandboxie as a means to deploy portable apps on USB drives. I read about this idea on some forums, but have not tested it myself (I believe there are better ways to make an app portable).