Enigma Virtual Box for Windows

Enigma Virtual Box is a free file system virtualization tool that combines any program and all its associated files into a single boxed executable without extracting any files to your hard disk or creating any temporary files. It works by embedding a special loader that emulates the program's file system and directory plus all extra files in your system's memory. You can add all kinds of files to boxed executables, too, including images, videos, and music. With drag-and-drop and one-click processing, it's easy enough for novices, employees, and other non-experts. It supports Windows 2000 to 7, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. As with all virtualization software, Enigma Virtual Box will run best with plenty of RAM.

Enigma Virtual Box has a simple but clearly configured interface, with twin file entry fields above a tabbed main window and controls at the bottom. The program is very easy to use: Browse to or enter the Input File Name in the top field and Output File Name in the lower field (if needed), add Virtual Box Files by dragging and dropping them into the Files tab's tree view or by clicking Add, Edit, or Remove to manage them, and click Process. The Registry tab displays the selected application's Virtual Box Registry, which includes an option to enable writing to the virtual registry. The Packaging tab let us define masks, or allowed file names, for external packages, with an option to allow bundling of external packages via a Package Builder tool. The Options tab has three checkboxes: map executable files using temporary file, share virtual system to child processes, and allow running of virtual executable files. The first and last options are selected by default. Enigma Virtual Box also offers language options and a fully indexed Help file.

We started simply with a few portable applications and small programs. When you select an executable, its icon appears next to the file entry fields, a nice touch. Leaving the Output field empty creates the boxed executable in the same directory as the source file, but we also saved boxed executables to other directories. The program really is drag-and-drop easy. We added files, clicked Process, and then clicked Run from the pop-up notification. The target program opened as if it we were running it normally.