To download and install Tor Browser on Windows, go to torproject.org/download, click Download for Windows, run the installer, select your language and install folder, then click Install and Finish. Tor Browser launches automatically and you can start browsing privately right away.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 23, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Tor Browser routes your traffic through multiple encrypted relays, masking your IP address and making it much harder to track your browsing activity.
- The installer comes from torproject.org — always download from the official site to avoid tampered versions.
- Tor installs to your Desktop by default, but you can change the location during setup. No system-level installation is required.
- Tor is not a VPN — it anonymizes browsing inside the Tor Browser itself but does not protect other apps running on your PC.
Quick Steps
- Go to torproject.org/download and click Download for Windows
- Open the downloaded installer file
- Select language (English by default) and click OK
- Choose install location (Desktop is the default) and click Install
- Leave both checkboxes ticked and click Finish — Tor Browser launches automatically
What Is Tor Browser?
Tor Browser is a free, open-source browser that routes your connection through the Tor network — a series of volunteer-operated servers called relays. Each relay only knows the previous and next hop in the chain, so no single server can see both who you are and what you’re visiting. Your real IP address is replaced with the IP of the exit node.
It is legal to use in most countries. Common uses include bypassing regional censorship, accessing .onion sites, and general privacy-conscious browsing. Tor does not make you completely anonymous — logging into accounts, downloading files, or enabling JavaScript on hostile sites can still expose your identity — but it significantly raises the bar for passive surveillance.
Note: Tor Browser only anonymizes traffic inside the browser itself. Other apps on your PC — your email client, Windows Update, background processes — bypass Tor entirely. If you need system-wide protection, use a VPN alongside it.
How to Download Tor Browser
Visit torproject.org/download and scroll to the download section. You will see platform options — click Download for Windows. The file is a standard Windows installer (.exe), around 90–100 MB.
Only download Tor from the official torproject.org site. Unofficial mirrors or third-party sites may distribute modified versions that compromise your privacy rather than protecting it.
How to Install Tor Browser on Windows
Once the download completes, open the installer file. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning — click Run anyway if prompted; this is normal for newly downloaded executables. The installer will ask for a language, then an install location.
By default, Tor installs to your Desktop rather than Program Files. This is intentional — Tor is designed to be portable and doesn’t write extensively into the system. If you prefer to keep your Desktop clean, click Browse and pick a folder under your user profile. Then click Install and wait for it to complete.
On the final screen, leave both checkboxes ticked: Run Tor Browser and Add a Start Menu shortcut. Click Finish and Tor Browser will launch automatically.
First Launch and Connecting to the Tor Network
When Tor Browser opens for the first time, it shows a connection screen with a Connect button. Click it and Tor will establish a circuit through the relay network — this normally takes 10–30 seconds. Once connected, the browser window opens and you can browse immediately.
If the connection fails, click Configure Connection and try the Bridges option. Bridges are unlisted Tor relays that can bypass ISP-level blocking in countries where direct Tor access is restricted.
Tor Browser vs VPN — Which Do You Need?
Tor and a VPN solve related but different problems. Tor provides strong anonymity for browser traffic by routing through multiple independent relays — no single entity can correlate your identity with your destination. The tradeoff is speed: Tor is significantly slower than a direct connection due to the relay chain.
A VPN like ProtonVPN encrypts all traffic from your device — not just the browser — and is much faster for general use. It hides your activity from your ISP and changes your apparent location, but the VPN provider itself can see your traffic. For everyday privacy and streaming, a VPN is usually the better choice. For high-risk anonymity needs, Tor is more appropriate.
Some people use both together (Tor over VPN), though this adds complexity without always adding meaningful protection for typical use cases. If you just want to change your IP address or hide browsing from your ISP, a VPN alone is simpler and faster.
Keeping Tor Browser Updated
Tor Browser checks for updates automatically and shows a notification in the toolbar when a new version is available. Click the notification and select Restart Tor Browser to Update. Keeping Tor updated is important — security patches ship regularly and outdated versions may have known vulnerabilities.
You can also check manually by clicking the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and selecting About Tor Browser. If an update is available, it downloads in the background and installs on the next restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tor Browser legal to use on Windows?
Yes, using Tor Browser is legal in most countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe. Some countries with heavy internet censorship (Russia, China, Belarus) restrict or block Tor at the network level, but the software itself is not illegal in Western countries. Always use it in compliance with local laws.
Does Tor Browser guarantee complete anonymity?
No. Tor makes it significantly harder to trace your browsing, but it is not foolproof. Logging into personal accounts, enabling plugins like Flash, or downloading files and opening them outside Tor can reveal your identity. Tor also cannot protect you against malware on your device or a compromised exit node intercepting unencrypted traffic.
Why is Tor Browser so slow?
Tor routes your traffic through at least three relays, each adding latency. Connection speeds vary widely depending on which relays you’re assigned. If performance is a priority and you just need basic privacy, a fast VPN like ProtonVPN will be much quicker. Tor is designed for anonymity, not speed.
How do I uninstall Tor Browser?
Since Tor installs to a folder rather than integrating deeply into Windows, you can uninstall it by simply deleting the Tor Browser folder (default location: Desktop) and removing the Start Menu shortcut. There is no traditional uninstaller entry in Windows Settings.
Can I use Tor Browser to access .onion sites?
Yes. Tor Browser is the standard way to access .onion (hidden service) addresses, which are only reachable through the Tor network. Regular browsers cannot resolve .onion domains — they are not part of the public DNS system.
