If you want to enable and use Tor in the Brave browser, this step-by-step guide will be handy. Here is how you turn on Tor in Brave browser using the in-built settings and Registry Editor. This will allow you to open a private window with Tor enabled to access the internet anonymously.
What is Tor mode in Brave browser?
In simple words, Tor helps you browse the internet anonymously. It works like a proxy. That said, when you enable Tor in the Brave browser, all your outgoing and incoming traffic will be redirected to the Tor network, allowing you to mask your location and device to unblock regionally blocked content and establish a more secure connection.
By default, the Brave browser doesn’t have any built-in VPN or so. That is why if you want to mask your IP address, you have two options. First, you can install a VPN app on your computer or install such and extension. Second, you can enable and use Tor.
When you turn this feature on, it frees another option called the New private window with Tor. By making use of this option, you will be able to open Onion links without Tor Browser and access the internet anonymously without installing third-party VPN app or proxy.
TIP: You can access the Dark Web using the TOR browser.
How to enable and use Tor in Brave browser
To enable and use Tor in Brave browser on your Windows PC, follow these steps:
- Open Brave browser and go to the Settings panel.
- Switch to the Privacy and security section.
- Head to the Tor windows section.
- Toggle the Private window with Tor button to turn it on.
- Click on the hamburger menu and select the New private window with Tor option.
First, you need to open the Brave browser and click on the Customize and control Brave button that is visible in the top-right corner of your screen to open the Settings panel. Next, switch to the Privacy and security tab.
Alternatively, you can open the Brave browser and enter this in the address bar: brave://settings/privacy.
Here you need to head to the Tor windows section and find the Private window with Tor option. Then, toggle the corresponding button to turn it on.
Now, you can click on the menu button and select the Private window with Tor option or press the keyboard shortcut: Alt+Shift+N. You may need to wait for a few seconds until it gets connected to the network.
Read: How to change default search engine in Brave browser
How to turn on Tor in Brave browser using Registry
To turn on Tor in Brave browser using Registry, follow these steps:
- Press Win+R > type regedit and click the OK button.
- Click on the Yes option on the UAC prompt.
- Navigate to Brave in HKLM.
- Right-click on Brave > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it as TorDisabled.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Let’s delve into these steps in detail.
To get started, press Win+R, type regedit, and click the OK button. If the UAC prompt appears, click on the Yes button on the UAC prompt.
Next, you need to navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave
However, if you cannot find this path, you need to create it manually. For that, right-click on Policies > New > Key and name it as BraveSoftware. Then, right-click on BraveSoftware > New > Key and set the name as Brave.
Once you get the aforementioned path, right-click on the Brave key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and set the name as TorDisabled.
By default, it comes with a Value data of 0 and you need to keep that in order to enable Tor in the Brave browser.
Once done, close all windows and restart your computer to get the change. In case you want to disable Tor, you can open the same REG_DWORD value and set the Value data as 1.
I hope this guide helped you.
Read: How to remove all Cryptocurrency options from Brave browser
Why is Tor not working on Brave?
There are two reasons why Tor is not working on the Brave browser. First, you need to give it a few moments to establish a connection between your computer and the Tor network. As it doesn’t get connected all the time automatically, you need to click on the Disconnected button to connect it. Second, if you have set the Value data of TorDisabled REG_DWORD value as 1, it won’t work. You need to open the Registry Editor and change the Value data to the correct one.
