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[*virt-manager*](http://virt-manager.org/) is a Free Software virtualization solution for Linux. *virt-manager* has a more complex interface than *GNOME Boxes* but it also has a more complete set of features.

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<p><i>virt-manager</i> is the only virtualization
solution that allows to use a Persistent
Storage. See [[running Tails from a USB
image|virt-manager#usb_image]].</p>

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<p>The following instructions have been tested on Debian 13 (Trixie).</p>

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Terminology

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*KVM* is the module of the Linux kernel that interacts with the virtualization features of the processor.

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*QEMU* is the virtualization software that emulates virtual processors and peripherals based on *KVM* and that starts and stops virtual machines.

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To create a new virtual machine, choose <b>File&nbsp;▸ New Virtual Machine</b>.

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Select the **Browse** button and then the **Browse Local** button to choose the ISO image that you want to start from.

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Enter **Debian 13** in the field **Choose the operating system you are installing**.

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In *step 3*, allocate at least 3072 MB of RAM.

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If you get the error message
"<b>Error starting domain: Requested operation is not valid: network 'default' is not active</b>",
then try to start the default virtual network:

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<ol>
<li>Click on <b>QEMU/KVM - Not Connected</b>.</li>
<li>Choose <b>Edit&nbsp;▸ Connection details</b>
    to administer the connection to your local
    <i>QEMU</i> system.</li>
<li>Click on <b>Virtual Networks</b> tab, then
    select the <b>default</b> virtual network in
    the left pane.</li>
<li>Click on the [[!img lib/media-playback-start.png alt="Start Network"
    link="no" class="symbolic"]] icon on the bottom of the left pane to
    start the default virtual network.</li>
</ol>

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Running Tails from a USB image is the only virtualization solution that allows you to use a Persistent Storage in a virtual machine.

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<span class="command-placeholder">size</span> has to be at least `7200M`.

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Select **Removable**.

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Choose **View**&nbsp;▸ **Details** to edit the configuration of the virtual machine.

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You can also remove the original ISO image and start directly from the USB stick once Tails is already installed on it. To do so:

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Select **Remove** in the right pane.