Whonix for Windows, macOS, Linux inside VirtualBox

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Getting started with Whonix in 4 simple steps.

GUI

Symbol GUI preview
Whonix LXQt in VirtualBox

  • Whonix with LXQt graphical user interface (GUI).
  • This version of Whonix is designed to run inside VirtualBox.
  • Beginner-friendly and easy to use.
  • It is the right choice for most users.

Please follow these steps to install Whonix LXQt for VirtualBox.

This page is fully functional without JavaScript, but enabling JavaScript significantly enhances the user experience.

1 Download Whonix LXQt

Whonix LXQt is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

stable LXQt

Download Whonix LXQt (VirtualBox) (stable) (FREE!) VIRTUALBOX

Optional: Digital signature verification.

testers LXQt

Download Whonix LXQt (VirtualBox) (testers) (FREE!) VIRTUALBOX

Optional: Digital signature verification.

2 Install VirtualBox

Download and install VirtualBox for your operating system.

Windows

Download VirtualBox for Windows (FREE!) WINDOWS

Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable Package

Optional: Digital signature verification.

macOS

Select your hardware platform.

Intel-based MacBook

Download VirtualBox for macOS (Intel) (FREE!) OSX

Apple Silicon

Download VirtualBox for macOS (Apple Silicon, M1, M2, ...) (FREE!) OSX

  • Developers only: At time of writing, running Whonix on Apple Silicon is still for developers only!
  • No downloadable Whonix image available yet: Whonix for VirtualBox OVA is not yet available for Apple Silicon-based systems.
  • Download link above not functional: The download link above will not be functional. It is for Intel/AMD64-based computers only.
  • See also: macOS

Optional: Digital signature verification.

Ubuntu

For Ubuntu host operating systems

Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Ubuntu users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

Tested on October 2022 using Ubuntu version 22.04. Older versions are not recommended.

Command Line (All Users)

1 On the host : Open a terminal.

2 Update the package lists.

sudo apt update

3 Install VirtualBox and Linux kernel headers.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-generic

4 Add your current user to group vboxusers. [2]

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

5 Prevent KVM from conflicting with VirtualBox.

This is necessary if your system uses Linux 6.12 or higher.

echo 'options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/disable-kvm-virt-at-load.conf

6 Reboot.

To ensure KVM configuration takes effect.

7 Done.

The procedure of installing the VirtualBox host software is complete.

Software Center (only if not using SecureBoot)

Ubuntu Software Center can be used to install VirtualBox. The process is similar to installation of most other applications.

This only works for users with computers that do not have " Secure BootOnion network Logo" enabled. If the user's computer is using "SecureBoot" the user need to either disable "SecureBoot" in the BIOS or use the command line based instructions. [3]

1 Open the start menu.

2 Click on the Ubuntu Software Center icon.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center icon

3 Click on the magnifying glass to search. → Type virtualbox. → Press enter. → In the search results, click on VirtualBox.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center - Search For VirtualBox

4 Click on Install and wait.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center Search Result

5 Installation of VirtualBox has been completed.

When the installation has completed, the install icon changes to the uninstall icon. Do not click the uninstall button.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center - VirtualBox has been installed

6 Click on Show Applications. → Click on Virtual Box start the VirtualBox graphical user interface (GUI).

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center #4

7 Prevent KVM from conflicting with VirtualBox.

This is necessary if your system uses Linux 6.12 or higher.

echo 'options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/disable-kvm-virt-at-load.conf

8 Reboot.

To ensure KVM configuration takes effect.

9 Done.

The procedure of installing and starting VirtualBox is complete.

Debian

For Debian host operating systems Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Debian users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

Select your Debian release below to get the matching instructions.

Debian Bookworm (oldstable) or Bullseye (oldoldstable)

To acquire the Recommended VirtualBox version tested with Whonix, package virtualbox-qt should be installed from Debian fasttrack repository according to the following instructions. [4]

1 On the host : Open a terminal.

2 Update the package lists.

sudo apt update

3 Install the Debian fasttrack signing key.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends fasttrack-archive-keyring

4 Add the Debian fasttrack repository.

echo 'Types: deb URIs: https://fasttrack.debian.net/debian/ Suites: trixie-fasttrack Components: main contrib non-free Enabled: yes Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/fasttrack-archive-keyring.gpg' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/fasttrack.sources

5 Add Debian the backports repository. [5]

echo 'Types: deb URIs: https://deb.debian.org/debian Suites: trixie-backports Components: main contrib non-free Enabled: yes Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.sources

6 Update the package lists again. [6]

sudo apt update

7 Install VirtualBox and Linux kernel headers.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-$(dpkg --print-architecture)

8 Add your current user to group vboxusers. [2]

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

9 Done.

The procedure of installing the VirtualBox host software is complete.

Debian trixie (stable) or Testing

See Install from VirtualBox.org Repository.

Debian Unstable

VirtualBox can be installed by adding the Debian unstable (sid) repository.

1. Update your package lists.

sudo apt update

2. Install VirtualBox and Linux headers, which are a dependency.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-$(dpkg --print-architecture)

3. Add your Linux user account go Linux user group vboxusers.

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

The details of this are unspecific to Whonix and undocumented.

Other Debian Releases

Other Debian releases might work, but this is untested. In case of other Debian release:

See also "Linux host operating systems" below.
See also "Linux" on the right.

Kicksecure

Kicksecure™ host operating systems

Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Kicksecure™ users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

See Install from VirtualBox.org Repository.

Linux

Hosts using a non-Debian operating system:

  • Install VirtualBox as per the normal mechanism for your Linux distribution. No special instructions for Whonix are required. The installation of a recent VirtualBox host software is unspecific to Whonix. Consult the documentation of your Linux distribution.
  • You may need to disable KVM's "enable virt at load" feature if your system uses kernel 6.12 or later. This will prevent KVM from taking over virtualization-related features on the system automatically. This will not prevent KVM virtual machines from being used. Add kvm.enable_virt_on_load=0 to your system's kernel command line, or add options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0 to your system's modprobe configuration, using the appropriate mechanism for your distribution.
  • Whonix has has been tested with, expects VirtualBox version latest.
  • For example the outdated VirtualBox version 5.2.18 is incompatible.

General recommendations for users using Linux as a host operating system:

Linux kernel version:

  • The recommended host Linux kernel version is the same version that Debian trixie is using, see linux-image-amd64.
  • Newer host Linux kernel versions are likely to break VirtualBox VMs in many ways since these are unsupported by VirtualBox. [7]

Host operating system. The recommended host Linux distributions are:

  • preferably the stable version of Kicksecure™ 18, or
  • Debian Linux version trixie.

3 Import Whonix into VirtualBox

For Whonix VirtualBox import instructions, please press the learn more button on the right.

Miscellaneous

There are also Video Tutorials.

If you still need help, please check the Support page.

For optional, alternative command line import instructions, see VirtualBox, manual VM import.

4 Start Whonix

Starting Whonix is simple:

  1. Start VirtualBox.
  2. Double-click the Whonix-Gateway™ and Whonix-Workstation™.

5 Support the Future of Whonix

Whonix is made possible thanks to the donation of people like you.

Please support the Whonix development with a donation.

Donate to Whonix

CLI

Whonix CLI in VirtualBox

  • Whonix with command line interface (CLI).
  • This version of Whonix is designed to run inside VirtualBox.
  • Whonix with CLI is a version suited for advanced users -- those who want Whonix without a graphical user interface (GUI). Everyone else should install the user-friendly Whonix VirtualBox with GUI LXQt.

Please follow these steps to install Whonix CLI for VirtualBox.

This page is fully functional without JavaScript, but enabling JavaScript significantly enhances the user experience.

1 Download Whonix CLI

Whonix CLI is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

stable CLI

Download Whonix CLI (VirtualBox) (stable) (FREE!) VIRTUALBOX

Optional: Digital signature verification.

testers CLI

Download Whonix CLI (VirtualBox) (testers) (FREE!) VIRTUALBOX

Optional: Digital signature verification.

2 Install VirtualBox

Download and install VirtualBox for your operating system.

Windows

Download VirtualBox for Windows (FREE!) WINDOWS

Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable Package

Optional: Digital signature verification.

macOS

Select your hardware platform.

Intel-based MacBook

Download VirtualBox for macOS (Intel) (FREE!) OSX

Apple Silicon

Download VirtualBox for macOS (Apple Silicon, M1, M2, ...) (FREE!) OSX

  • Developers only: At time of writing, running Whonix on Apple Silicon is still for developers only!
  • No downloadable Whonix image available yet: Whonix for VirtualBox OVA is not yet available for Apple Silicon-based systems.
  • Download link above not functional: The download link above will not be functional. It is for Intel/AMD64-based computers only.
  • See also: macOS

Optional: Digital signature verification.

Ubuntu

For Ubuntu host operating systems

Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Ubuntu users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

Tested on October 2022 using Ubuntu version 22.04. Older versions are not recommended.

Command Line (All Users)

1 On the host : Open a terminal.

2 Update the package lists.

sudo apt update

3 Install VirtualBox and Linux kernel headers.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-generic

4 Add your current user to group vboxusers. [2]

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

5 Prevent KVM from conflicting with VirtualBox.

This is necessary if your system uses Linux 6.12 or higher.

echo 'options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/disable-kvm-virt-at-load.conf

6 Reboot.

To ensure KVM configuration takes effect.

7 Done.

The procedure of installing the VirtualBox host software is complete.

Software Center (only if not using SecureBoot)

Ubuntu Software Center can be used to install VirtualBox. The process is similar to installation of most other applications.

This only works for users with computers that do not have " Secure BootOnion network Logo" enabled. If the user's computer is using "SecureBoot" the user need to either disable "SecureBoot" in the BIOS or use the command line based instructions. [9]

1 Open the start menu.

2 Click on the Ubuntu Software Center icon.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center icon

3 Click on the magnifying glass to search. → Type virtualbox. → Press enter. → In the search results, click on VirtualBox.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center - Search For VirtualBox

4 Click on Install and wait.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center Search Result

5 Installation of VirtualBox has been completed.

When the installation has completed, the install icon changes to the uninstall icon. Do not click the uninstall button.

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center - VirtualBox has been installed

6 Click on Show Applications. → Click on Virtual Box start the VirtualBox graphical user interface (GUI).

Figure: Ubuntu Software Center #4

7 Prevent KVM from conflicting with VirtualBox.

This is necessary if your system uses Linux 6.12 or higher.

echo 'options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/disable-kvm-virt-at-load.conf

8 Reboot.

To ensure KVM configuration takes effect.

9 Done.

The procedure of installing and starting VirtualBox is complete.

Debian

For Debian host operating systems Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Debian users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

Select your Debian release below to get the matching instructions.

Debian Bookworm (oldstable) or Bullseye (oldoldstable)

To acquire the Recommended VirtualBox version tested with Whonix, package virtualbox-qt should be installed from Debian fasttrack repository according to the following instructions. [10]

1 On the host : Open a terminal.

2 Update the package lists.

sudo apt update

3 Install the Debian fasttrack signing key.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends fasttrack-archive-keyring

4 Add the Debian fasttrack repository.

echo 'Types: deb URIs: https://fasttrack.debian.net/debian/ Suites: trixie-fasttrack Components: main contrib non-free Enabled: yes Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/fasttrack-archive-keyring.gpg' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/fasttrack.sources

5 Add Debian the backports repository. [11]

echo 'Types: deb URIs: https://deb.debian.org/debian Suites: trixie-backports Components: main contrib non-free Enabled: yes Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/backports.sources

6 Update the package lists again. [12]

sudo apt update

7 Install VirtualBox and Linux kernel headers.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-$(dpkg --print-architecture)

8 Add your current user to group vboxusers. [2]

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

9 Done.

The procedure of installing the VirtualBox host software is complete.

Debian trixie (stable) or Testing

See Install from VirtualBox.org Repository.

Debian Unstable

VirtualBox can be installed by adding the Debian unstable (sid) repository.

1. Update your package lists.

sudo apt update

2. Install VirtualBox and Linux headers, which are a dependency.

sudo apt install --no-install-recommends virtualbox-qt linux-headers-$(dpkg --print-architecture)

3. Add your Linux user account go Linux user group vboxusers.

sudo adduser $(whoami) vboxusers

The details of this are unspecific to Whonix and undocumented.

Other Debian Releases

Other Debian releases might work, but this is untested. In case of other Debian release:

See also "Linux host operating systems" below.
See also "Linux" on the right.

Kicksecure

Kicksecure™ host operating systems

Choose an option from the following table. Choose either Option (A) OR Option (B).

A Automated VirtualBox Installation : Kicksecure™ users could alternatively use the Whonix Linux Installer for VirtualBox. In this case, this wiki page can be completely ignored. No other steps from this wiki page need to be applied because the automated installer will handle everything.

B Manual VirtualBox Installation : Follow the instructions below.

See Install from VirtualBox.org Repository.

Linux

Hosts using a non-Debian operating system:

  • Install VirtualBox as per the normal mechanism for your Linux distribution. No special instructions for Whonix are required. The installation of a recent VirtualBox host software is unspecific to Whonix. Consult the documentation of your Linux distribution.
  • You may need to disable KVM's "enable virt at load" feature if your system uses kernel 6.12 or later. This will prevent KVM from taking over virtualization-related features on the system automatically. This will not prevent KVM virtual machines from being used. Add kvm.enable_virt_on_load=0 to your system's kernel command line, or add options kvm enable_virt_at_load=0 to your system's modprobe configuration, using the appropriate mechanism for your distribution.
  • Whonix has has been tested with, expects VirtualBox version latest.
  • For example the outdated VirtualBox version 5.2.18 is incompatible.

General recommendations for users using Linux as a host operating system:

Linux kernel version:

  • The recommended host Linux kernel version is the same version that Debian trixie is using, see linux-image-amd64.
  • Newer host Linux kernel versions are likely to break VirtualBox VMs in many ways since these are unsupported by VirtualBox. [13]

Host operating system. The recommended host Linux distributions are:

  • preferably the stable version of Kicksecure™ 18, or
  • Debian Linux version trixie.

3 Import Whonix into VirtualBox

For Whonix VirtualBox import instructions, please press the learn more button on the right.

Miscellaneous

There are also Video Tutorials.

If you still need help, please check the Support page.

For optional, alternative command line import instructions, see VirtualBox, manual VM import.

4 Start Whonix

Starting Whonix is simple:

  1. Start VirtualBox.
  2. Double-click the Whonix-Gateway™ and Whonix-Workstation™.

5 Support the Future of Whonix

Whonix is made possible thanks to the donation of people like you.

Please support the Whonix development with a donation.

Donate to Whonix

First Time User / Questions and Answers

See Also

Footnotes

Your support makes
all the difference!

We believe security software like Whonix needs to remain open source and independent. Would you help sustain and grow the project? Learn more about our 13 year success story and maybe DONATE!

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