Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Tor Browser
Browsers How to get started with Tor Browser - a web browser designed for privacy
Linux
Software & Services Best USB bootable distro of 2025
A laptop showing lots of email notifications
Security How to send an anonymous email
Private browsing mode in safari browser iphone apple
Security How to browse the web anonymously
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
iOS How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Safari icon app browser on the display iPhone. Safari is a web browser developed by Apple and part of macOS and iOS.
iOS How to private browse in Safari on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Young woman with cat using laptop
Software & Services Best alternative operating systems of 2025
  1. Computing
  2. Software

How to run Tails Linux from a USB Stick

How-to
By Nate Drake published 18 May 2017

Browse the web safely and anonymously with Tails

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introducing Tails Linux

Introducing Tails Linux

Tails is a 'live' operating system, which you can boot from a USB stick or computer. 

The OS routes all your network connections through the anonymizing network Tor, which makes it extremely difficult to trace your real location. By default Tails also loads into your machine's RAM memory meaning all traces of your internet history are lost a few minutes after you restart the machine.

  • These are the best Linux training providers and online courses in 2017

Tails also supports a password protected 'persistent' mode which allows you to save files and application settings from one session to the next. The setup process is extremely simple, so why not take back your privacy today?

  • Best lightweight Linux distros 2017
Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
1. Prepare your installation

1. Prepare your installation

The Tails website lists several ways to install the OS onto a USB stick depending on what kind of computer you use. 

The method used here is different but will work whether you're running Windows, Mac or Linux. You will need a USB stick at least 4GB in size as well as an ISO file of the latest version of Tails. 

If you have a DVD-RW drive and know how to burn the ISO to a blank disk, do so and skip ahead to Step 6. Otherwise read on. 

See our disk burning tips for more advice on creating a DVD or CD out of an ISO file.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
2. Download VirtualBox

2. Download VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is a program that allows you to create 'virtual machines'. In simplest terms, this allows you to run an entire Operating System inside a window without affecting the rest of your system. 

You can also run Tails inside a Virtual Machine, in order to install it onto a USB stick. Head to the VirtualBox website then download VirtualBox for your particular host - for example Windows users should click 'Windows Hosts'.

Open the file once downloaded to run the installer. In Microsoft Edge click 'Run' once the installer is downloaded to launch it.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
3. Install VirtualBox and its extension pack

3. Install VirtualBox and its extension pack

Once the installer launches, click 'Next', then 'Next' again to choose the default installation options. 

Windows Users may see a warning before proceeding that your device may disconnect from the internet briefly while VirtualBox sets up new network interfaces. Click 'Yes' to proceed, the on 'Install' once again to finalise the installation. VirtualBox should launch automatically when the install is complete.

Return to the VirtualBox download page and click 'All Supported Platforms' by the words 'Extension Pack'. Double click to open the Extension Pack once downloaded. This will install support for USB devices in VirtualBox.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Create a Tails Virtual Machine

4. Create a Tails Virtual Machine

Click 'New' at the top left of the VirtualBox Window to create your Tails Virtual machine.

In the 'Name' field, type 'Tails Linux'. The other options will fill in automatically. 

Click "Next" to proceed. VirtualBox will now ask you how much of your system's RAM memory to assign to the Virtual Machine. 

Use the slider to assign at least 2GB of RAM but do not move it into the red area. Click 'Next', then 'Do Not Create a Hard Disk' in the 'Hard Disk' section. Finally click the 'Create' button. Your VM (Virtual Machine) will appear in the left hand pane in VirtualBox.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
5. Configure the Virtual Machine

5. Configure the Virtual Machine

Click the ‘Settings’ button at the top of the VirtualBox window. Choose ‘Storage’ on the left hand side, then on the word ‘Empty’ in the storage tree menu. Click the CD icon to the right of the ‘Optical Drive’ drop-down menu and ‘Choose Virtual Optical Disk File’. Navigate to the Tails ISO you downloaded earlier.

Next click the ‘USB’ section in the left hand pane, then insert your USB stick. Click the small USB button with a green + sign on the right hand side and choose your USB stick. Click ‘OK’ to save your changes then on the ‘Start’ button at the top to launch your Tails virtual machine.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
6. Install Tails

6. Install Tails

When Tails boots, choose ‘More Options’ then click the ‘Forward’ button. Tails will now ask you to set an administrator password for this session – remember that as Tails loads into RAM, by default anything you do inside it, including choosing a password, will be lost when you reboot. Enter the admin password twice then choose ‘Login’. 

Once the Tails desktop loads, choose Applications > Tails > Tails Installer. Click ‘Install by cloning’. Make sure the correct USB device is selected in the drop-down menu and click ‘Install Tails’. Once installation is complete, click ‘Close’ then shut down VirtualBox.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
7. Test your installation

7. Test your installation

Insert your USB stick into a computer, and fire it up. Depending on the machine you use, you may need to adjust your BIOS settings to boot from the external USB stick. 

Choose ‘More Options’ and set an admin password once again. Take some time to explore the pre-installed apps. This is also an excellent time to read the Tails ‘Getting Started’ guide to learn how it protects you and the user documentation which gives more in depth information. 

If you live in a country which blocks the anonymizing Tor network used by Tails, read the section on obfuscated bridges. 

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
8. Create a persistent volume

8. Create a persistent volume

Tails allows you to retain information such as browser bookmarks and passwords in an encrypted partition on the USB stick. Read the Tails website's section on Persistence before proceeding.

Next, load Tails then click 'Applications > Tails > Configure Persistent Volume'. You'll need to set a strong password, then tick to store each type of data such as network settings or Tor browser bookmarks. 

Click ‘Save’ and Tails will create the partition. Restart Tails to apply your changes. When you next load Tails, you'll see an option to ‘Use Persistence?’. Click ‘Yes’ and enter the password you chose earlier to access your data.

  • The best free VPN 2017
Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
TOPICS
Linux
Nate Drake

Nate Drake is a tech journalist specializing in cybersecurity and retro tech. He broke out from his cubicle at Apple 6 years ago and now spends his days sipping Earl Grey tea & writing elegant copy.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
Tor Browser
How to get started with Tor Browser - a web browser designed for privacy
Linux
Best USB bootable distro of 2025
A laptop showing lots of email notifications
How to send an anonymous email
Private browsing mode in safari browser iphone apple
How to browse the web anonymously
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Safari icon app browser on the display iPhone. Safari is a web browser developed by Apple and part of macOS and iOS.
How to private browse in Safari on Mac, iPhone and iPad
Latest in Software
London
I asked AI to plan the perfect day in London – here’s what it got right and hilariously wrong
@millasofiafin / Instagram
You don't have to be real to score brand deals as an influencer
ChatGPT Crunchyroll
ChatGPT faceplants while translating Crunchyroll anime, and some viewers are demanding human localization
Google AI Mode
I've been using Google AI Search mode for 4 months, and here are 5 tips to get the best results
ChatGPT vs Pocket Chess
ChatGPT is no match for a 40-year-old digital Pocket Chess game, and I bet Garry Kasparov would be pleased
The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses being used by a basketball player
4 key changes Meta is making with its Oakley smart glasses to make them stand out from the Ray-Ban AI specs
Latest in How Tos
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE, Day 2 fixtures
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 587, England 77-3 after record-breaking Gill double hundred on Day 2
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    British startup claims to have developed tech that can deliver 65% lossless file compression - but you'll have to pay big for it
  2. 2
    I asked AI to plan the perfect day in London – here’s what it got right and hilariously wrong
  3. 3
    You don't have to be real to score brand deals as an influencer
  4. 4
    I tested the Nebula X1, and it's one of the brightest and best portable projectors available
  5. 5
    Chinese vendor launches liquid-cooled mini PC powered by AMD's most powerful AI processor, with a built-in 400W PSU

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...