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

[*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.

<p><emi>virt-manager</emi> is the only virtualization
solution that we present that allows theo use of a Persistent
Storage.</span> See [[Rrunning Tails from a USB
image|virt-manager#usb_image]].</p>

<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>

<p>The following instructions have been tested on Debian 10 (Buster3 (Trixie).</p>

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

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

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

*libvirt* is a library that allows *virt-manager* to interact with the virtualization capabilities provided by *QEMU*.

*SPICE* is a protocol that allows to visualize the desktop of virtual machines.

[[Download a USBTails as an ISO image|install/download-iso]], instead of an ISO USB image.

[[Download Tails as an ISO image|install/download-iso]], instead of a USB image.

To create a new virtual machine, choose <span class="menuchoice"> <span class="guimenu">File</span>&nbsp;▸ <span class="guimenuitem">b>File&nbsp;▸ New Virtual Machine</span></spanb>.

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

In *step 2*, choose **Browse...**, and **Browse Local** to browse forSelect the **Browse** button and then the **Browse Local** button to choose the USBISO image that you want to start from.

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

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:

<ol>
<li>Click on **localhost (QEMU)**.</li>
<li>Choose <span class="menuchoice">
**<b>QEMU/KVM - Not Connected</b>.</li>
<li>Choose <b>Edit**&nbsp;▸
** Connection details**</span> to</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>

<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>

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

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

<p class="pre command-template">truncate -s
<span class="command-placeholder">size</span>
<span class="command-placeholder">tails.img</span></p>

<p class="command-template">truncate -s
<span class="command-placeholder">size</span>
<span class="command-placeholder">tails.img</span></p>

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

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

In *step 3*, allocate at least 20483072 MB of RAM.

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

In the **configuration view**, choose **VirtIO Disk 1** or **IDE Disk 1**

In the configuration view, choose **VirtIO Disk 1** or **IDE Disk 1**

Choose <span class="menuchoice"> <span class="guimenu">View</span>**View**&nbsp;▸ **Details**</span> to edit the configuration of the virtual machine.

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

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

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:

Select **StoragRemove** in the lefright pane.

Select **Remove** in the right pane.