Using Tor Browser in Qubes-Whonix™
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Documentation for Tor Browser in Qubes-Whonix: starting, updating, and basic usage.
If you are new to Qubes-Whonix, you will typically launch Tor Browser from the Qubes Start Menu inside your default workstation AppVM.
Start Tor Browser
[edit]Qubes Start Menu → Whonix-Workstation™ AppVM (commonly called anon-whonix) → Tor Browser
Update Tor Browser
[edit]Quick Rules
[edit]
Updating Tor Browser can be more complex than regular system updates due to technical limitations outside of Whonix's control. [1] Use the table below and follow the instructions for your situation.
| Tool | Template ( whonix-workstation-18)
|
App Qube ( anon-whonix)
|
Disposable VM ( disp####)
|
Disposable Template ( whonix-workstation-18-dvm)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tor Browser | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix ( update-torbrowser)
|
Yes | Yes [2] | No [3] | No |
Do not run Tor Browser in a Template (whonix-workstation-18) or Disposable Template (whonix-workstation-18-dvm)!
Quick rules:
- Run Tor Browser only in App Qubes or Disposable VMs (Disposables).
- Run Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix (
update-torbrowser) only in the Template and/or in an App Qube. - Never run Tor Browser or the downloader inside the Disposable Template (
whonix-workstation-18-dvm).
Overview
[edit]Tip: If you are unsure, start with the Existing App Qubes row.
| Scenario | Instructions | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| New App Qubes and Disposables |
Run Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix ( |
In Qubes terms, this row is about updating the Template (whonix-workstation-18) so that new App Qubes and Disposables start with the updated Tor Browser.
Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix ( Running Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix inside the Template ( "Disposables" here refers to spawned Disposable VM instances (often named |
| Disposable Template |
For further information on installing, updating and using Tor Browser in Qubes Disposables, see: How to use Disposables in Qubes-Whonix. |
"Disposable Template" ( The "Disposable Template" is not the same as an actual Disposable VM instance. The warning is about not running Tor Browser or the downloader inside the Disposable Template itself. Tor Browser is meant to run in a spawned Disposable VM (often named |
| Existing App Qubes |
Follow these steps to update Tor Browser in an existing Whonix-Workstation App Qube such as
|
"Update" (internal updater) and "re-install" (downloader) are different actions. Updating Tor Browser inside one existing App Qube affects only that App Qube. This does not automatically update other App Qubes, and this does not update the Template used for new App Qubes and Disposables. |
Summary
[edit]| Tool | Recommended Use | Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Tor Browser Downloader (by Whonix developers) |
Useful to run inside:
Usually not useful if run inside:
|
|
| Tor Browser |
Useful to run in:
|
|
See Also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ↑ Tor Browser Update: Technical Details
- ↑ Useful for re-installing Tor Browser in that App Qube.
- ↑ Updates inside a Disposable VM do not persist after shutdown.
- ↑ It is possible to run Tor Browser Downloader by Whonix inside a Disposable as well, probably easiest using Tor Browser Internal Updater and then restarting Tor Browser. However, these updates will not persist due to the Disposable design.
- ↑ See tb-updater in Qubes Template for technical details.
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