Tails OS 7.16

Tails OS 7.16 is a free operating system that starts from a USB stick and sends everything you do online through the Tor network.

When you shut it down it forgets everything, so the computer you used keeps no trace of your session.

It is made for people who need privacy to stay safe, such as journalists, activists and anyone using a shared or watched computer.

Tails 7.16 came out on 30 October 2026 with Tor Browser 16.0, which is based on Firefox 153, the Tor client 0.4.9.15 and a fix for encrypted OpenPGP email in Thunderbird. The release before it, 7.15.1, was an emergency update that blocked a compromised certificate authority, a good reminder to keep Tails current.

What Tails Actually Does

• Everything goes through Tor - websites see a Tor address instead of yours, and apps that try to connect directly are blocked.
• It forgets on purpose - Tails runs from memory and wipes it at shutdown, so browsing history, downloads and passwords vanish.
• It leaves your hard drive alone - the Windows installed on the computer is not touched unless you choose to open it.
• Optional Persistent Storage - an encrypted area on the same USB stick for files, settings and extra apps you want to keep.
• Ready-to-use apps - Tor Browser, Thunderbird for email, LibreOffice, OnionShare for sharing files, and Metadata Cleaner for photos and documents.

Tails is based on Debian 13 Linux, so it looks different from Windows, but the basics are familiar. It is developed as part of the Tor Project.

What You Need Before You Start

• A USB stick of 8GB or more that holds nothing you need, because everything on it is erased.
• A 64-bit Intel or AMD computer that can start from USB - most PCs less than ten years old will do.
• At least 3GB of RAM for Tails to run smoothly.
• Not a Mac with an Apple chip, a phone, a tablet or a Raspberry Pi, because Tails does not run on them.

Some Nvidia and AMD Radeon graphics cards do not work in Tails, so test it on the computer you plan to use. Our guide to USB sticks and portable SSDs helps if you need a new stick, and the Tails team recommends a new one from a known brand.

Putting Tails on a USB Stick From Windows

1. Download the USB image. The file ending in .img is the one for USB sticks.
2. Check the file is genuine. The official Tails install guide for Windows shows how, which matters for a tool you trust with your safety.
3. Write it to the stick. Use Rufus or balenaEtcher, the two tools the Tails team supports on Windows.
4. Start the computer from the stick. Restart and press the boot menu key, often F12, F9 or Esc, then pick the USB stick.
5. Connect to Tor. The Tor Connection assistant opens after the Welcome Screen, and it can use bridges if Tor is blocked where you are.

To update later, keep your stick and let Tails upgrade itself, which works from Tails 7.0 or later and keeps your Persistent Storage. Writing a fresh image over the stick erases that storage, so only do it on a new stick.

Tails, Tor Browser or a VPN?

If you trust your own computer and only want private browsing, Tor Browser runs on Windows without a restart. Mullvad Browser is the same privacy design without the Tor network, built to pair with a VPN.

For everyday privacy on public Wi-Fi, Proton VPN has a free plan. Our overview of browser privacy in 2026 compares the main options.

What About Virtual Machines?

Tails can run in a virtual machine, but the Tails team says VirtualBox works badly with it and only documents GNOME Boxes and virt-manager on Linux. A virtual machine also lets the computer underneath see what you do, which defeats much of the point.

Our download page carries the USB image, not the ISO file that virtual machines and DVDs use. If you need the ISO, get it from the Tails website.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you want a Linux system for everyday use, games or work that remembers your files, Tails is the wrong tool. Pick one from our best Linux distros for beginners guide instead.

If you just want Windows to collect less about you, our guide to Windows 10 and 11 privacy settings takes five minutes.

And if you want a light system you can carry on a USB stick without the Tor slowdown, see how to run ChromeOS Flex from a USB drive.

Quick Questions

Download Tails OS 7.16 and try it from a spare USB stick, or tell us how you got on if you have used it before.