The latest version of Tails, a Debian-based Linux distribution focused on anonymity and security, has been released—Tails 7.0. This new iteration is built upon Debian 13 (Trixie) and features an updated GNOME desktop environment, with GNOME 48 (Bengaluru).
Among the numerous enhancements in this release is a significant improvement in startup time. By switching from xz to zstd compression algorithm for Tails' USB and ISO images, users can now expect their operating system to launch approximately 10–15 seconds faster on most computers. However, it's worth noting that this change may result in the image being 10% larger than before.
During testing, developers discovered that using low-quality USB sticks could potentially slow down startup even further – by up to 20 seconds compared to high-end devices. In regions with a prevalence of counterfeit electronics, users are advised to purchase their USB drives from reputable international retailers, ensuring access to more reliable supplies.
The included software has also undergone significant updates:
- The GNOME Terminal application has been replaced with the newer GNOME Console.
- GNOME Image Viewer is now GNOME Loupe.
- Tor Browser and its client have both been updated to version 14.5.7 and 0.4.8.17, respectively.
- Thunderbird has been upgraded to 128.14.0esr.
- Other applications such as Electrum (4.5.8), OnionShare (2.6.3), KeePassXC (2.7.10), Kleopatra (4:24.12), Inkscape (1.4), GIMP (3.0.4), Audacity (3.7.3), Text Editor (48.3), and Document Scanner (46.0) have also received updates to their latest versions.
Moreover, the GNOME desktop environment has been improved in various ways:
- The Settings utility now boasts redesigned sections for Accessibility, Sound, and Mouse & Keyboard in GNOME 44.
- Users can enjoy new accessibility features like Overamplication and Always Show Scrollbars within the Accessibility settings.
- In GNOME 45, a dynamic workspace indicator replaced the traditional Activities button.
- Improvements have been made to the Screen Reader functionality, including better table navigation and a sleep mode in GNOME 46.
- Additionally, users are now presented with an option to preserve battery health when configuring power settings in GNOME 48.
Tails 7.0 also includes several removals:
- The Places menu has been removed; users can access similar functions through the sidebar of the Files browser.
- Kleopatra is no longer listed in the Favorites menu, but it remains accessible under Apps ▸ Accessories ▸ Kleopatra.
- Other removed applications include unar (File Roller still supports RAR archives), aircrack-ng, Power Statistics utility, and sq package.
Lastly, Tails 7.0 features enhanced hardware support with an updated Linux kernel – version 6.12.43 – which provides improved functionality for newer hardware components like graphics cards and Wi-Fi adapters. The operating system also requires at least 3 GB of RAM to function smoothly, displaying a notification when the recommended specifications are not met.
Tails 7.0
To upgrade your Tails USB stick and keep your Persistent Storage
Automatic upgrades are only available from Tails 7.0~rc1 and 7.0~rc2 to 7.0.
All other users have to do a manual upgrade.
To install Tails 7.0 on a new USB stick
Follow our installation instructions:
The Persistent Storage on the USB stick will be lost if you install instead of upgrading.
To download only
If you don't need installation or upgrade instructions, you can download Tails 7.0 directly:
