Can I isolate a school lockdown browser on an external drive?

The safest and simplest choice is a separate inexpensive laptop, ideally supplied or paid for by the school. That avoids exposing your personal computer and makes a full wipe straightforward when the course is over. A refurbished business laptop should be enough for an exam browser and will usually cost less than replacing or repairing your main machine.

A virtual machine is another possibility if your computer has enough RAM and the software allows it. With 16 GB of memory, assigning around 4 GB to a Windows virtual machine may be workable, but lockdown browsers commonly detect or refuse to run in virtual machines. It’s worth checking the exact requirements before spending time setting one up.

A separate Windows user account is not strong isolation. System-wide drivers, services, and registry changes can still affect the whole installation, regardless of which account installed or runs the program. If you want meaningful separation, use a separate bootable OS or another physical computer, and plan on reinstalling that isolated OS afterward if you no longer trust it.

Lockdown Browser is not automatically malware; it is legitimate exam-monitoring software that restricts the computer while an assessment is running. However, you should still read the school’s privacy and technical requirements, confirm how it is removed, and create backups before installing it. If the school requires software you’re uncomfortable putting on personal hardware, ask them for a loaner device or an approved alternative.