Force Folder
ForceFolder is a sandbox setting in Sandboxie.ini that automatically starts matching programs in a particular sandbox. A normal folder entry applies to programs in that folder and its subfolders. For example:
The first entry forces programs started from C:\Download or one of its subfolders into DefaultBox. The second applies to programs started from drive E:. Folder matching is case-insensitive.
What is matched
During normal force-rule evaluation, Sandboxie first checks the executable's directory against ForceFolder. If that does not select a sandbox, it checks ForceProcess. If neither check selects a sandbox, the effective working directory and a document argument can also be checked against ForceFolder. The latter checks are skipped when the process being evaluated is Sandboxie's Start.exe itself.
An ordinary folder entry is matched as a recursive path prefix. An entry containing * is instead handled as a wildcard pattern against the normalized directory path. A ? character does not by itself switch a ForceFolder entry to wildcard matching; it participates as a wildcard only when the same entry also contains *. Use ForceProcess when selection by executable name is required.
Shortcuts
Merely storing a shortcut in a forced folder does not force a target program located outside that folder. The target can still be forced if its executable directory, effective working directory, or document argument matches a ForceFolder rule.
Immersive applications
By default, after a normal ForceFolder or ForceProcess rule selects a sandbox, Sandboxie discards that selection if it identifies the resulting process as an immersive/AppContainer application. In the ordinary unsandboxed-parent case, this check does not terminate the process; the process continues without being forced into the selected sandbox by this path. Other independent launch policies can still affect the result.
The advanced global setting AllowForceImmersive enables these force rules for such processes:
The default is n. This setting is global rather than per sandbox, and SandMan does not currently provide a dedicated control for it. Enabling the setting does not guarantee compatibility with every AppContainer, UWP, or other immersive application.
Rule order
For the executable path, a matching ForceFolder rule is checked before ForceProcess. Working-directory and document-argument ForceFolder checks occur later, after ForceProcess, so ForceFolder does not have unconditional precedence in every case.
User interfaces
In SandMan, open Sandbox Options > Program Control > Force Programs and use Force Folder to maintain the list. The same page also provides Force Program, Force Children, Remove, and Show Templates controls.
Sandboxie Control Classic provides the related Sandbox Settings > Program Start > Forced Folders page.
Version history
AllowForceImmersive was added in Sandboxie Plus 1.16.0 / Classic 5.71.0. ForceFolder predates the current version metadata and has no introduction version recorded there.