en	[[!meta title="Unlocking and using the Persistent Storage"]]

en	To unlock your Persistent Storage and use the data that is stored in it:

en	When starting Tails, in the **Persistent Storage** section of the [[Welcome Screen|first_steps/welcome_screen]], enter your passphrase and click **Unlock Encryption**.

en	[[!img first_steps/welcome_screen/unlock_persistent_storage.png link="no" class="screenshot" alt=""]]

en	Start Tails.

en	The data corresponding to each feature of the Persistent Storage that is turned on is automatically available. For example:

en	Your personal files in the *Persistent* folder are accessible from **Places**&nbsp;▸ **Persistent**, if the [[Persistent Folder|configure#persistent_folder]] feature is turned on.

en	Your persistent bookmarks are available in *Tor Browser*, if the [[Tor Browser Bookmarks|configure#bookmarks]] feature is turned on.

en	Your [[Additional Software|additional_software]] packages are automatically installed when starting Tails, if the [[Additional Software|configure#additional_software]] feature is turned on.

en	<div class="caution">

en	Tails cannot use a read-only Persistent Storage. If your Tails USB stick has a read-only switch, ensure it is in the read-write position.

en	</div>