QubesOS for beginners revisions

Go back to topic: QubesOS for beginners

  1. v5 anchor; v5 full version
  2. v4 anchor; v4 full version
  3. v3 anchor; v3 full version
  4. v2 anchor; v2 full version

Revision #5

Edited on
2026-03-23
Edited by user
suspiciouscard_019
Qubes currently only works on x86_64 architecture CPUs. For bare minimum internet access, 5500mb (5.5gb) of RAM should be available. Offline use can be as low as 4500mb (4.5gb). Each VM is probably 300mb idle, using the default OSes provided, plus whatever your programs are actually using. Advanced configuration can reduce this RAM requirement. At least 32gb of storage should be present on the target install drive. Because VMs do not have access to the GPU, all that matters is one is present to create an output for your display. The integrated GPU your CPU comes with is fine. I personally use a device with 2x 1.5GHz cores, 8gb ram and 256gb of storage. It's slow, but it views webpages fine and runs some games at a lower resolution. The most graphically intensive game I play is City of Heroes (CoH), which is incompatible with some modern graphics cards. Running CoH on CPU only at 5 frames per second is just normal in my case. Rimworld runs 1/4 resolution at 3/4 speed. High Definition videos frequently stutter, so I only use Standard Definition. If this is a dealbreaker to you, consider getting a secondary device and using one for entertainment while the other is a Qubes device for browsing, mail, shopping. Qubes currently only works on x86_64 architecture CPUs. ~~For bare minimum internet access, 5500mb (5.5gb) of RAM should be available. Offline use can be as low as 4500mb (4.5gb).~~ The official Qubes documentation states 6gb of RAM as the minimum. Each VM is probably 300mb idle, using the default OSes provided, plus whatever your programs are actually using. Advanced configuration can reduce this RAM requirement. At least 32gb of storage should be present on the target install drive. Because VMs do not have access to the GPU, all that matters is one is present to create an output for your display. This GPU will be taken by dom0 and cannot be used for another VM without crashing QOS. The integrated GPU your CPU comes with is fine. I use a device with 2x 1.5GHz cores, 8gb ram and 256gb of storage. It's slow, but it views webpages fine and runs some games at a lower resolution. The most graphically intensive game I play is City of Heroes (CoH), which is incompatible with some modern graphics cards. Running CoH on CPU at 5 frames per second is normal in my case. Rimworld runs 1/4 resolution at 3/4 speed. High Definition videos frequently stutter, so I only use Standard Definition. If this is a dealbreaker to you, consider getting a secondary device and using one for entertainment while the other is a Qubes device for browsing, mail, shopping.
QMK0x427F11FD0FAA4B080123F01CDDFA1A3E36879494QMK0x427F11FD0FAA4B080123F01CDDFA1A3E36879494 If your computer beeps you might need to blacklist pcspkr or snd_pcsp.

Revision #4

Edited on
2026-03-23
Edited by user
suspiciouscard_019

Revision #3

Edited on
2026-03-22
Edited by user
suspiciouscard_019
Qubes does nothing to make a VM or OS safer than it is by default. Qubes is not magic. Qubes allows the user to separate their computer into multiple discrete boxes to avoid contaminating high value targets like banking information and passwords with malware injected from another VM's browser. Qubes will not protect your emails from themselves or your passwords from user error. Qubes is not perfect, and may still be defeated at some point in the future. Qubes does nothing to make a VM or OS safer than it is by default. Qubes is not magic. Qubes allows the user to separate their computer into multiple discrete boxes to avoid contaminating high value targets like banking information and passwords with malware injected from another VM's browser. Qubes will not protect your emails from themselves or your passwords from user error. Qubes is not perfect, and may still be defeated at some point in the future. Qubes is not anti-forensic. Data is stored on the drive and may expose your activities if harvested.

Revision #2

Edited on
2026-03-22
Edited by user
OvalZero