It is possible to run Tails in a virtual machine using [<span class="application">VirtualBox</span>](https://www.virtualbox.org/) from a Windows, Linux, or macOS host operating system.
<span class="application">VirtualBox</span> has a free software version, called <span class="application">VirtualBox Open Source Edition</span> and some proprietary components, for example to add support for USB devices.
XXX: VirtualBox Guest Additions has been removed since Tails 4.27. Without Guest Additions, the shared folders feature of VirtualBox is unavailable.Until Guest Additions is added back (#18728), the tip below shouldn't be displayed.
<p>With the <a href="https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch04.html#sharedfolders"> <span class="guilabel">shared folders</span></a>feature of <span class="application">VirtualBox</span> you can access files of your host system from within the guest system.</p>
In our [[security warnings about virtualization|virtualization#security]] we recommend to run Tails in a virtual machine only if the host operating system is trustworthy.
<p>Microsoft Windows and macOS being proprietary software, they cannot be considered trustworthy. Only run Tails in a virtual machine on Windows or macOS for testing purposes and do not rely on it for security.</p>
For instructions on how to install *VirtualBox* on other operating systems, refer to the [VirtualBox documentation](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/End-user_documentation).