Running the Tor client on MS Windows

Note that these are the installation instructions for running a Tor client on MS Windows (98, 98SE, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista, Server). If you want to relay traffic for others to help the network grow (please do), read the Configuring a relay guide.

Step One: Download and Install Tor

The install for MS Windows bundles Tor, Vidalia (a GUI for Tor), and Privoxy (a filtering web proxy) into one package, with the three applications pre-configured to work together. Download either the stable or the experimental version of the Windows bundle, or look for more options on the download page.

If you have previously installed Tor, Vidalia, or Privoxy you can deselect whichever components you do not need to install in the dialog shown below.

After you have completed the installer, the components you selected will automatically be started for you.

Step Two: Configure your applications to use Tor

After installing Tor and Privoxy, you need to configure your applications to use them. The first step is to set up web browsing.

You should use Tor with Firefox and Torbutton, for best safety. The bundle installs the Torbutton plugin for you. Restart your Firefox, and you're all set:

 

If you plan to run Firefox on a different computer than Tor, see the FAQ entry for running Tor on a different computer.

To Torify other applications that support HTTP proxies, just point them at Privoxy (that is, localhost port 8118). To use SOCKS directly (for instant messaging, Jabber, IRC, etc), you can point your application directly at Tor (localhost port 9050), but see this FAQ entry for why this may be dangerous. For applications that support neither SOCKS nor HTTP, take a look at SocksCap or FreeCap. (FreeCap is free software; SocksCap is proprietary.)

For information on how to Torify other applications, check out the Torify HOWTO.

Step Three: Make sure it's working

Check to see that Privoxy and Vidalia are running. Privoxy's icon is a blue or green circle with a "P" in it, and Vidalia uses a small green onion to indicate Tor is running or a dark onion with a red "X" when Tor is not running. You can start or stop Tor by right-clicking on Vidalia's icon in your system tray and selecting "Start" or "Stop" from the menu as shown below:

Next, you should try using your browser with Tor and make sure that your IP address is being anonymized. Click on the Tor detector and see whether it thinks you're using Tor or not. (If that site is down, see this FAQ entry for more suggestions on how to test your Tor.)

If you have a personal firewall that limits your computer's ability to connect to itself, be sure to allow connections from your local applications to local port 8118 and port 9050. If your firewall blocks outgoing connections, punch a hole so it can connect to at least TCP ports 80 and 443, and then see this FAQ entry.

If it's still not working, look at this FAQ entry for hints.

Once it's working, learn more about what Tor does and does not offer.