[Tails-testers] [Tails-news] Tails 4.0 is out

We are especially proud to present you Tails 4.0, the first version of Tails
based on Debian 10 (Buster). It brings new versions of most of the software
included in Tails and some important usability and performance improvements.
Tails 4.0 introduces more changes than any other version since years.

This release also fixes [many security
issues](https://tails.boum.org/security/Numerous_security_holes_in_3.16/). You
should upgrade as soon as possible.

# Changes and upgrades

## Major changes to included software

* Replace _KeePassX_ with [_KeePassXC_](https://keepassxc.org/), which is more actively developed.


* Update _OnionShare_ from 0.9.2 to 1.3.2, which includes a lot of usability improvements.


* Update _Tor Browser_ to 9.0:

    * A gray border, called _letter boxing_, is now displayed around the content of web pages when you resize the window of Tor Browser.

![](https://tails.boum.org/doc/anonymous_internet/Tor_Browser/letter-
boxing.png)

Letter boxing prevents websites from identifying your browser based on the
size of its window. Letter boxing replaces the yellow warning that was
displayed until now when maximizing Tor Browser.

    * The onion icon has been removed from the top bar.

To switch to a new identity, choose ![](https://tails.boum.org/lib/open-
menu.png) ▸ New Identity.

    * The icon of _Tor Browser_ is green instead of purple.

* Update _MAT_ from 0.6.1 to [0.8.0](https://0xacab.org/jvoisin/mat2/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md)

_MAT_ has no graphical interface of its own anymore.

To clean the metadata of a file:

    1. Open the _Files_ browser and navigate to the file that you want to clean.

    2. Right-click (on Mac, click with two fingers) on the file.

    3. Choose **Remove metadata**.


* Update _Linux_ to 5.3.2. This should also improve the support for newer hardware (graphics, Wi-Fi, etc.).

* Update _Electrum_ from 3.2.3 to [3.3.8](https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/blob/master/RELEASE-NOTES). _Electrum_ works again in Tails.

* Update _Enigmail_ to 2.0.12 and _gnupg_ to 2.2.12, which mitigate [OpenPGP certificate flooding](https://dkg.fifthhorseman.net/blog/openpgp-certificate-flooding.html).

* Upgrade most other software, for example:

    * _Audacity_ from 2.1.2 to [2.2.2](https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audacity_Versions#whatsnew)

    * _GIMP_ from 2.8.18 to [2.10.8](https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-introduction-whats-new.html)

    * _Inkscape_ from 0.92.1 to [0.92.4](https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-0.92.4/)

    * _LibreOffice_ from 5.2.7 to [6.1.5](https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/ReleaseNotes/6.0)

    * _git_ from 2.11.0 to 2.20.1

    * _Tor_ to 0.4.1.6

* Remove _Scribus_.

You can install _Scribus_ again using the _[Additional
Software](https://tails.boum.org/doc/first_steps/additional_software/index.en.html)_
feature.

## Usability improvements to _Tails Greeter_

We improved various aspects of the usability of _Tails Greeter_, especially
for non-English users:

* To make it easier to select a language, we curated the list of proposed languages by removing the ones that had too little translations to be useful. We also clarified how Chinese is listed by having different entries for simplified and traditional Chinese.


* We simplified the list of keyboard layouts.

* We fixed the **Formats** setting, which was not being applied.

* We prevented additional settings to be applied when clicking on **Cancel** or **Back**.

* We fixed the opening of help pages in other languages than English, when available.

## Performance and usability improvements

* Tails 4.0 starts 20% faster.

* Tails 4.0 requires about 250 MB less of RAM.

* Tails 4.0 is 47 MB smaller to download than Tails 3.16, despite all these changes.

* Add support for _Thunderbolt_ devices.

* The screen keyboard is easier to use.


* Make it possible to show the password of the persistent storage when creating one.

* Add support for USB tethering from iPhone.

## New documentation pages

* [How to securely erasing an entire device](https://tails.boum.org/doc/encryption_and_privacy/secure_deletion/index.en.html#erase-device), including USB sticks and SSDs.

* [How to backup your persistent volume](https://tails.boum.org/doc/first_steps/persistence/copy/index.en.html).

## Other changes

* Use the default bookmarks from _Tor Browser_ instead of our own default bookmarks. ([#15895](https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/15895))

* Remove the _Home_ launcher from the desktop. ([#16799](https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/16799))

* Remove the default accounts in _Pidgin_. ([#16744](https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/16744))

# Fixed problems

For more details, read our [changelog](https://git-
tails.immerda.ch/tails/plain/debian/changelog).

* Allow opening persistent volumes from other Tails USB sticks. ([#16789](https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/16789))

* Fix the delivery of WhisperBack reports. ([#17110](https://redmine.tails.boum.org/code/issues/17110))

# Known issues

None specific to this release.

See the list of [long-standing
issues](https://tails.boum.org/support/known_issues/index.en.html).

# Get Tails 4.0

## To upgrade your Tails USB stick and keep your persistent storage

Automatic upgrades are not available to 4.0.

All users must do a [manual
upgrade](https://tails.boum.org/upgrade/index.en.html).

## To install Tails on a new USB stick

Follow our installation instructions:

* [Install from Windows](https://tails.boum.org/install/win/index.en.html)
* [Install from macOS](https://tails.boum.org/install/mac/index.en.html)
* [Install from Linux](https://tails.boum.org/install/linux/index.en.html)

All the data on this USB stick will be lost.

## To download only

If you don't need installation or upgrade instructions, you can directly
download Tails 4.0:

* [For USB sticks (USB image)](https://tails.boum.org/install/download/index.en.html)
* [For DVDs and virtual machines (ISO image)](https://tails.boum.org/install/download-iso/index.en.html)

# What's coming up?

Tails 4.1 is [scheduled](https://tails.boum.org/contribute/calendar/) for
December 3.

Have a look at our [roadmap](https://tails.boum.org/contribute/roadmap) to see
where we are heading to.

We need your help and there are many ways to [contribute to
Tails](https://tails.boum.org/contribute/index.en.html)
([donating](https://tails.boum.org/donate/?r=4.0) is only one of them). Come
[talk to us](https://tails.boum.org/about/contact/index.en.html#tails-dev)!



URL: https://tails.boum.org/news/version_4.0/index.en.html
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