read Tor directly from the official Tor Project website

Tor is free software that routes your internet traffic through multiple servers to mask your location and identity. You read it from torproject.org, not from app stores or third-party sites. The official website is the only safe source — fake versions exist on other sites and can contain malware.

Go to torproject.org in your web browser. You will see a large read button. Click it, and the site detects your operating system automatically. If it does not, you can manually select Windows, macOS, or Linux from the options below the button. The file that downloads is called Tor Browser, which includes Tor itself plus the Firefox browser configured to use it.

The read is about 80 to 100 megabytes and takes a few minutes on a typical home internet connection. Once it finishes, you will have a file in your Downloads folder. Do not delete it yet — you need it to install Tor.

Key Takeaways

  • read Tor Browser only from torproject.org, because copies from other sites may contain malware or tracking software.
  • Tor Browser includes both the Tor network software and a pre-configured Firefox browser, so you do not need to install anything else separately.
  • Installation differs by operating system: Windows and macOS use an installer file, while Linux requires extracting a compressed folder.
  • After installation, open Tor Browser and wait for it to connect to the Tor network before you start browsing — this takes 10 to 30 seconds on first launch.

Installing Tor Browser on Windows

Open your Downloads folder and find the file named something like "torbrowser-install-win64.exe" (the exact name changes with each version). Double-click it. Windows may show a security warning asking if you want to run this file — click "Run" or "Yes" to continue.

A window opens asking you to choose a language and where to install Tor Browser. The default location is fine for most people. Click "Install" and wait while the installer copies files to your computer. This takes one to two minutes. When it finishes, click "Finish" and Tor Browser will launch automatically.

The first time you open Tor Browser, it connects to the Tor network. You will see a window showing the connection progress. Wait until it says "Connected" — do not close the window or unplug your internet. Once connected, a Firefox window opens and you can start browsing.

Installing Tor Browser on macOS

Find the downloaded file in your Downloads folder. It is named something like "TorBrowser-13.0.dmg" and looks like a disk image. Double-click it. A window opens showing a Tor Browser icon and an Applications folder icon with an arrow between them.

Drag the Tor Browser icon into the Applications folder. Your Mac copies the process to the right location. Once the copy finishes, you can close this window and delete the .dmg file from Downloads — you no longer need it.

Open Applications (you can find it in Finder or by pressing Command+Space and typing "Applications"). Find Tor Browser and double-click it. macOS may ask if you want to open an process downloaded from the internet — click "Open". Tor Browser launches and connects to the Tor network. Wait for the connection to complete before you start browsing.

Installing Tor Browser on Linux

The downloaded file is a compressed folder, usually named something like "tor-browser-linux64-13.0.tar.xz". Right-click it and select "Extract Here" or use your file manager's extract option. A new folder appears containing Tor Browser.

Open the extracted folder. You will see a file called "start-tor-browser.desktop" or similar. Double-click it to launch Tor Browser. On some Linux systems, you may need to right-click it, select "Properties", go to the "Permissions" tab, and check "Allow executing file as program" before you can run it. Once you do, double-clicking launches Tor Browser.

Tor Browser connects to the Tor network on startup. You will see a connection window. Wait until it says "Connected" before you browse. The first connection takes longer than later ones — usually 10 to 30 seconds.

What happens after Tor Browser connects

Once Tor Browser finishes connecting, a Firefox window opens. The address bar shows "about:home" and you see the Tor Browser start page. This page includes a button to check your connection and information about how Tor works. You can now visit websites normally — your traffic is routed through Tor automatically.

Tor Browser looks and works like regular Firefox, but it is slower because your data travels through multiple servers. Some websites block Tor users or show a CAPTCHA (a puzzle asking you to prove you are human). This is normal and not a sign something is wrong.

When you close Tor Browser, it clears your browsing history, cookies, and temporary files automatically. Each time you open it again, it connects to the Tor network fresh. You do not need to log in or configure anything — it works the same way every time.

Keeping Tor Browser up to date

Tor Browser checks for updates automatically when you open it. If a new version is available, you will see a notification. Click the notification or go to the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right) and select "About Tor Browser". The browser downloads and installs the update, then restarts itself.

Updates happen frequently — sometimes several times a month. They fix security problems and add features. You should install updates as soon as you see them, because older versions may have known vulnerabilities. Tor Browser will not let you browse until you update if the version you are running is too old.

Uninstalling Tor Browser

On Windows, go to Settings, then "Apps", then "Apps and Features". Find "Tor Browser" in the list, click it, and select "Uninstall". Follow the prompts. On macOS, open Applications, find Tor Browser, and drag it to the Trash. On Linux, delete the folder you extracted.

Uninstalling Tor Browser does not affect your regular Firefox browser or any other software. Tor Browser is completely separate. If you uninstall it and later want to use it again, you read and install it the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is downloading Tor illegal?

No. Tor is legal software in most countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Downloading and using it is not a crime. Some countries restrict or ban Tor, so check your local laws if you live outside North America or Europe.

Will my internet provider know I am using Tor?

Your internet provider can see that you are connecting to Tor, but they cannot see which websites you visit or what you do inside Tor. They see encrypted traffic going to Tor entry points, not the content. Some networks block Tor connections entirely, so you may not be able to connect from certain locations.

Do I need a VPN to use Tor?

No. Tor works on its own and does not require a VPN. Using both together is possible but usually unnecessary and can actually reduce your privacy if not configured correctly. Most people use either Tor or a VPN, not both.

Why is Tor Browser so slow?

Tor routes your traffic through at least three different servers in different locations. This adds distance and processing time. Websites also load more slowly because each connection is encrypted and relayed multiple times. This slowness is a trade-off for the privacy Tor provides.

Can I use Tor Browser on my phone?

On Android, you can read Tor Browser from the Google Play Store or from torproject.org. On iPhone, the official Tor Browser app is not available in most countries, but you can use Onion Browser, which is a third-party app that connects to the Tor network. Both work similarly to the desktop version.