- Guide to install kali linux
- System Requirements
- Installation Prerequisites
- Preparing for the Installation
- Kali Linux Installation Procedure
- Boot
- Language
- Network
- User Accounts
- Clock
- Disk
- Encrypted LVM
- Proxy Information
- Metapackages
- Boot Information
- Reboot
- Post Installation
- How to Install Kali Linux [Easy Guide]
- Downloading the Kali Linux Install Image
- Writing the Install Image to Disk or USB Stick
- Windows 10 DVD Installation
- Ubuntu DVD Installation
- Windows 10 USB Stick Installation with Rufus
- Ubuntu USB Stick Installation with Startup Disk Creator
- Installing Kali Linux on your PC
- Conclusion
Guide to install kali linux
Installing Kali Linux (single boot) on your computer is an easy process. This guide will cover the basic install (which can be done on bare metal or guest VM), with the option of encrypting the partition. At times, you may have sensitive data you would prefer to encrypt using Full Disk Encryption (FDE). During the setup process you can initiate an LVM encrypted install on either Hard Disk or USB drives.
First, you’ll need compatible computer hardware. Kali Linux is supported on amd64 (x86_64/64-bit) and i386 (x86/32-bit) platforms. Where possible, we would recommend using the amd64 images. The hardware requirements are minimal as listed in the section below, although better hardware will naturally provide better performance. You should be able to use Kali Linux on newer hardware with UEFI and older systems with BIOS.
Our i386 images, by default use a PAE kernel, so you can run them on systems with over 4 GB of RAM.
In our example, we will be installing Kali Linux in a fresh guest VM, without any existing operating systems pre-installed. We will explain other possible scenarios throughout the guide.
System Requirements
The installation requirements for Kali Linux will vary depending on what you would like to install and your setup. For system requirements:
- On the low end, you can set up Kali Linux as a basic Secure Shell (SSH) server with no desktop, using as little as 128 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended) and 2 GB of disk space.
- On the higher end, if you opt to install the default Xfce4 desktop and the kali-linux-default metapackage, you should really aim for at least 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space.
- When using resource-intensive applications, such as Burp Suite, they recommend at least 8 GB of RAM(and even more if it is a large web application!) or using simultaneous programs at the same time.
Installation Prerequisites
This guide will make also the following assumptions when installing Kali Linux:
- Using the amd64 installer image.
- CD/DVD drive / USB boot support.
- Single disk to install to.
- Connected to a network (with DHCP & DNS enabled) which has outbound Internet access.
We will be wiping any existing data on the hard disk, so please backup any important information on the device to an external media.
Preparing for the Installation
- Download Kali Linux(We recommend the image marked Installer).
- Burn The Kali Linux ISO to DVD or image Kali Linux Live to USB drive. (If you cannot, check out the Kali Linux Network Install).
- Backup any important information on the device to an external media.
- Ensure that your computer is set to boot from CD/DVD/USB in your BIOS/UEFI.
- In the UEFI settings, ensure that Secure Boot is disabled. The Kali Linux kernel is not signed and will not be recognized by Secure Boot.
Kali Linux Installation Procedure
Boot
- To start your installation, boot with your chosen installation medium. You should be greeted with the Kali Linux Boot screen. Choose either Graphical install or Install (Text-Mode). In this example, we chose the Graphical install.
If you’re using the live image instead, you will see another mode, Live, which is also the default boot option.
Language
- Select your preferred language. This will be used for both the setup process and once you are using Kali Linux.
Network
- The setup will now probe your network interfaces, looks for a DHCP service, and then prompt you to enter a hostname for your system. In the example below, we’ve entered kali as our hostname.
If there is no network access with DHCP service detected, you may need to manually configure the network information or do not configure the network at this time.
- If there isn’t a DHCP service running on the network, it will ask you to manually enter the network information after probing for network interfaces, or you can skip.
- If Kali Linux doesn’t detect your NIC, you either need to include the drivers for it when prompted, or generate a custom Kali Linux ISO with them pre-included.
- If the setup detects multiple NICs, it may prompt you which one to use for the install.
- If the chosen NIC is 802.11 based, you will be asked for your wireless network information before being prompted for a hostname.
- You may optionally provide a default domain name for this system to use (values may be pulled in from DHCP or if there is an existing operating systems pre-existing).
User Accounts
Clock
Disk
In our guide, we are using a clean disk, so we have four options to pick from. We will select Guided — the entire disk, as this is the single boot installation for Kali Linux, so we do not want any other operating systems installed, so we are happy to wipe the disk.
If there is an pre-existing data on the disk, you will have have an extra option (Guided — use the largest continuous free space) than the example below. This would instruct the setup not to alter any existing data, which is perfect for dual-booting into another operating system. As this is not the case in this example, it is not visible.
Experienced users can use the “Manual” partitioning method for more granular configuration options, which is covered more in our BTRFS guide.
If you want to encrypt Kali Linux, you can enable Full Disk Encryption (FDE), by selecting Guided — used entire disk and setup encrypted LVM. When selected, later on in the setup (not in this guide) prompt you to enter a password (twice). You will have to enter this password every time you start up Kali Linux.
- Depending on your needs, you can choose to keep all your files in a single partition — the default — or to have separate partitions for one or more of the top-level directories.
If you’re not sure which you want, you want “All files in one partition”.
- Next, you’ll have one last chance to review your disk configuration before the installer makes irreversible changes. After you click Continue, the installer will go to work and you’ll have an almost finished installation.
Encrypted LVM
If enabled in the previous step, Kali Linux will now start to perform a secure wipe of the hard disk, before asking you for a LVM password.
Please be sure a strong password is used, or else you will be prompted with a weak passphrase warning.
This wipe may take “a while” (hours) depending on the size and speed of the drive.
If you wish to risk it, you can skip it.Proxy Information
- Kali Linux uses a central repository to distribute applications. You’ll need to enter any appropriate proxy information as needed.
Metapackages
If network access was not setup, you will want to continue with setup when prompt.
If you are using the Live image, you will not have the following stage.
- Next you can select which metapackages you would like to install. The default selections will install a standard Kali Linux system and you don’t really have to change anything here.
Please refer to this guide if you prefer to change the default selections.
Boot Information
- Select the hard drive to install the GRUB bootloader in (it does not by default select any drive).
Reboot
Post Installation
Now that you’ve completed installing Kali Linux, it’s time to customize your system.
The General Use section has more information and you can also find tips on how to get the most out of Kali Linux in our User Forums.
Updated on: 2023-Mar-13
Author: gamb1tHow to Install Kali Linux [Easy Guide]
Kali Linux is a Linux distribution built from the ground up for Penetration Testing and Security Auditing. This step-by-step tutorial explains how to install it quickly and easily.
What does that mean? It means Kali Linux is for trying to break into (your own) networks and computers to check for vulnerabilities.
It contains hundreds of tools for testing for security vulnerabilities and tools for computer forensics, reverse engineering, and security research.
Kali Linux can be run from a CD or USB stick or installed like any other Linux distribution – here’s how.
Downloading the Kali Linux Install Image
Download the appropriate image for your system (Kali Linux 64-Bit (Installer) is compatible with most modern PCs) from
Writing the Install Image to Disk or USB Stick
Windows 10 DVD Installation
If you’ve got a DVD burner on your computer, insert a blank disc, and right-click on the downloaded Kali Linux ISO image, and select ‘Burn disk image’ – easy!
Ubuntu DVD Installation
If you’re on Ubuntu and are burning to DVD, right-click on the downloaded ISO Image and select ‘Write to Disk’ – also easy!
Windows 10 USB Stick Installation with Rufus
If you’re using a USB stick (which is at least 4GB) to install Kali Linux, download Rufus – a neat tool for writing ISO images to bootable USB sticks:
Open Rufus up and make the following selections:
- Set Device to the USB stick you wish to write the ISO image to
- Watch out! It’ll delete everything on the USB stick, so make sure you’re sure and that you’ve selected the right device
Now click START and wait around a bit. Your bootable Kali Linux Install USB is now ready!
Ubuntu USB Stick Installation with Startup Disk Creator
Ubuntu has a built-in tool for writing a bootable Linux ISO image to a USB stick – the Startup Disk Creator. To set up your USB stick:
- Insert your USB stick
- Search Ubuntu’s Application launcher for ‘Startup Disk Creator’ and launch the application
- Select the Kali Linux ISO which was downloaded in the previous step as the source disk
- Select your USB stick as the disk to use
- Confirm your USB device – Make sure you’re certain of your selected USB device, as all data on it will be wiped!
- Wait a bit – and your bootable USB stick is ready!
Installing Kali Linux on your PC
Insert the Kali Linux disc or USB stick from the previous step into the computer you wish to install Kali Linux on to.
WARNING: Depending on your selections during the installation process, the entire contents of the computer you are installing Ubuntu on may be wiped – so make sure you’re paying attention to what you’re doing (and always have backups)
Now, power up or reboot the computer. You will need to make sure it boots from your installation media.
This may happen automatically. If it does not, reboot again and watch for a prompt to select which device to boot from.
It usually looks something like this:
Press DEL to interrupt startup and select boot device.
If you don’t see one, you may have to consult the user manual for your computer to find out which key to press to interrupt boot and select the boot device (it’s usually DELETE, F2, or F12, depending on your manufacturer).
Once you’ve successfully booted the installation media, you’ll see the above screen. Select Graphical Install.
Select your Language, Location, and Keyboard Layout. Once these choices are made, the setup process will run some checks and then proceed.
Name your computer something sensible. If you’re going to be using Kali Linux for it’s intended purpose, an ambiguous name is probably for the best.
Set your username and password to something secure!
Select your timezone and continue to set up your hard disk.
Guided – use entire disk is the most straight-forward option – but be aware that it will overwrite the current contents of the disk you are installing to – make sure you’ve backed up!
Select the hard disk you wish to install Kali Linux to.
All files in one partition is sufficient for normal usage (and new users, as it states).
Finally, select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk and click Continue to overwrite your disk and install Kali Linux.
Confirm your choice again by selecting Yes and clicking Continue.
Wait around a bit – it may take a few minutes for your disks to be partitioned and formatted and the base system to be installed.
Once the base system is installed, you’ll be asked what additional software packages should be installed – the defaults are a good start, so leave things as they are and continue.
Again, the installation of packages may take a few minutes (or more).
For your system to boot, the GRUB bootloader will need to be installed.
Select Yes to install GRUB on your primary drive and Continue.
Select your hard disk to confirm that you wish to install the GRUB bootloader on it.
We’re done! Remove the installation disc or USB stick and Continue to reboot.
Once your PC boots, the GRUB bootloader will now be shown and will boot Kali Linux after a few seconds.
Log in using the credentials you supplied earlier.
The Kali Linux desktop!
Conclusion
Kali Linux is now installed and ready to test your network’s limits! If you’d like to learn how to update Kali Linux, then be sure to check out our other guide.
