Will Sandbox keep Windows 10 safe?
When Windows 10 support stops, would it be safe to browse in Windows Sandbox? My current PC has been excellent for browsing the web and email use. I know that any software I install in Sandbox is deleted on shutdown, but the only software that I would have to reload immediately after each reboot is Bitwarden password manager. My PC works so well that I do not wish to give it up, but am slightly against using the methods to bypass the Windows 11 minimum specs – as I suspect that ongoing upgrades will stop soon and that might just be the thin end of the wedge. Or would that be safer than Windows 10 Sandbox? David Roy
TechLife responds: Let’s start with Windows 10 support, which is scheduled to end in October 2025 (pictured above right).
Based on past behaviour, we would be astounded if Microsoft actually wrote off the operating system completely come that date. In fact, we’d expect a couple of years of security updates beyond that supposed cut-off point. This is because millions of people will continue using Windows 10 for many years beyond 2025, whether or not Microsoft likes it – it would be terrible publicity for the firm to expose all those users to risks it was able to fix. This has always been the way, for as long as Windows has existed. So, for the 2025 end of Windows 10 support, read 2027 at least.
So, your question will really become relevant only if you’re still using your 2015-era PC in 2027. You might be, of course, and so we’re happy to answer. And the
I know that any software I install in Sandbox is deleted on shutdown.
answer in principle is no, it won’t be safe.
Why? Because, while Windows Sandbox (pictured below, available in Pro only, not Home) is currently considered an incredibly safe way of trying stuff you don’t want to risk in the ‘real’ operating system, in a theoretical future where you’re using it as part of an unsupported version of Windows, then it simply can’t be considered completely safe. That’s because, as unlikely as it is, if hackers discover a previously undetected flaw that allows them to compromise the Windows 10 version of Windows Sandbox – and that exploit doesn’t get fixed because Microsoft has legitimately, permanently ended support for Windows 10 so that hole will never be filled.
Are these circumstances likely? No. Are they possible? Yes. But with so many compounded ifs and buts, we can’t say we’d worry about too much of this now, or all that much later.
We’re probably five or six years away from the ‘real’ end of Windows 10 support, and we’re talking about theoretical flaws that could lead to theoretical hacks of a particular feature in which everything is anyway erased on closure of said feature. Moreover, all you want to do is browse the web, which in itself isn’t all that hazardous. So, the risk here isn’t zero – but it’s close to it.
Why won’t my Bluetooth speaker connect?
I have a Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II, that used to connect to my Dell Inspiron 3470 PC and play music without a problem. Now, it no longer works. When I look in the Bluetooth section of Windows 10’s Settings, the Bose Soundlink is shown – and shows as paired. I have tried everything I know without success. The speaker connects to my smartphone and iPad perfectly. The annoying thing is the speaker worked fine before and I can only think that some or other Windows update has caused this. William Lynn
TechLife responds: Dell has issued a Bluetooth driver update for your model, so we wouldn’t be remotely surprised your problem was in some way related to a Windows update having broken something with the original driver. By the time you read this it’s possible that the driver update will have been downloaded and applied automatically by Windows, so the problem might have fixed itself. If not, you can install it manually by downloading it directly from Dell, at www.snipca.com/41751 (see screenshot above).
If that doesn’t help then we’d suggest performing a ‘factory reset’ on your Bose SoundLink. This will wipe all settings, as though it was fresh from the factory. You’ll need to pair it once more with your smartphone and iPad, but that process is easy – as you know. To perform the reset, first power on the device in the usual way. Then, press and hold down the Power button for 10 seconds.
Why isn’t my Num Lock key working?
I have a new LG Gram 16Z90P laptop, running Windows 11. I can’t get Toggle Keys to work. On my old PC, pressing the Number Lock (Num Lock) key played a tone and an alert flashed, bottom right, telling me that NumLk was either on or off. Neither was working on my new laptop, so I went into Settings to enable the option – but this had no effect.
I pressed the NumLk key for five seconds, which again had no effect. I then applied a registry hack, but still no joy. Am I missing something? Before I get the flashing message, I think I have to get the Toggle Key beep working, don’t I? Please, can you tell me how I do that on my new laptop? Surely, it can’t be that difficult, can it? Brian Rogers
TechLife responds: No, it’s not that difficult. All that’s needed is to enable Toggle Keys in the Accessibility area of Windows 11’s Settings (see screenshot
1 ), but you’ve already done that. You absolutely do not need to edit the registry to get this feature working. So, we think your Num Lock key is faulty. We’d contact the vendor to arrange a replacement or repair.
As for the visual alert, Windows itself doesn’t do this – so you must have had a third-party tool installed. We’ve recommended TrayStatus numerous times over the years, as it’s small, simple and effective. The trial version is completely free, and has the basic indicator functions you describe. Get it from www.traystatus.com 2.