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With virtual machines, it is possible to run Tails inside a *host* operating system (Linux, Windows, or macOS). A virtual machine emulates a real computer and its operating system, called a *guest*, which appears in a window on the *host* operating system.

With virtual machines, it is possible to run Tails inside a *host* operating system. A virtual machine emulates a real computer and its operating system, called a *guest*, which appears in a window on the *host* operating system.

<p>Because, <i>VirtualBox</i> works pretty badly with Tails, we stopped
advertising solutions for using virtual machines in Windows or macOS.</p>

<p>We only present below 2 solutions for Linux: <i>GNOME Boxes</i> and
<i>virt-manager</i>.</p>

This is how Tails looks when run in a virtual machine on a Debian: host.

This is how Tails looks when run in a virtual machine on a Debian host.

<p>Running Tails inside a virtual machine has various security
implications. Depending on the host operating system and your security
needs, running Tails in a virtual machine might be dangerous.</p>

<p>Running Tails inside a virtual machine has various security
implications. Depending on the host operating system and your security
needs, running Tails in a virtual machine might be dangerous.</p>

<p>Only run Tails in a virtual machine if both the host operating
system and the virtualization software are trustworthy.</p>

<p>Only run Tails in a virtual machine if both the host operating
system and the virtualization software are trustworthy.</p>

<p>For example, when using virtual machines in Windows, <a
href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/retrace-your-steps-with-recall-aa03f8a0-a78b-4b3e-b0a1-2eb8ac48701c"><i>Microsoft
Recall</i></a> might be taking regular screenshots of your activity.</p>

<p>Only run Tails in a virtual machine if leaving traces on the hard disk
is not a concern for you.</p>

<p>Only run Tails in a virtual machine if leaving traces on the hard disk
is not a concern for you.</p>

To run Tails inside a virtual machine, you need to have virtualization software installed on the host operating system. Different virtualization software exists for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Unfortunately, we only know of virtualization solutions for Linux that work well with Tails.

To run Tails inside a virtual machine, you need to have virtualization software installed on the host operating system. Different virtualization software exists for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Unfortunately, we only know of virtualization solutions for Linux that work well with Tails.

<p>We only mention Free Software, because we believe that it is a necessary
condition to be trustworthy. Proprietary virtualization software exist, such as
<i>VMWare</i>, but is not listed here on purpose.</p>

**<em>*GNOME Boxes</em>*** is only available on Linux. It has a simpler user interface than *virt-manager* but does not allow to use of a Persistent Storage.

***GNOME Boxes*** is only available on Linux. It has a simpler user interface than *virt-manager* but does not allow to use a Persistent Storage.

See [[running Tails in *GNOME Boxes*|boxes]].

**<em>*virt-manager</em>** is*** is only available on Linux. It has a more complex user interface andthan *GNOME Boxes* but allows to use of a Persistent Storage, either by:

***virt-manager*** is only available on Linux. It has a more complex user interface than *GNOME Boxes* but allows to use a Persistent Storage, either by:

Starting Tails from a USB stick.

Creating a virtual USB storage volume saved as a single file on the host operating system.

See [[running Tails in *virt-manager*|virt-manager]].