In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Kali Linux on VMware, complete with visual aids to make the experience engaging and informative.
🔧 What You’ll Need
Before we begin, ensure you have following:
- VMware Workstation Pro: Download and set it up from the official VMware website:
👉Here is how to do it. - Kali Linux ISO: Obtain the latest version from the official Kali Linux website:
👉 Download Here (Standard Installer)
👉 Download Here (Full Installer - Torrent) - System Requirements:
- At least 4 GB of RAM (6 GB recommended)
- 20 GB of Free disk space
- 64-bit processor supporting virtualization
🛠️ Step-by-Step Installation Guide
- Create a New Virtual Machine
- Open VMware Workstation.
- Click on "Create a New Virtual Machine".
- Select "Typical (recommended)" and click Next.
- Select "Installer disk image file (ISO)" and browse to select the Kali Linux ISO you downloaded.
- Select "Linux" as the guest operating system and "Debian 10.x 64-bit" as the version.
- Name your virtual machine (e.g., "Kali Linux") and choose a location to store it.
- Allocate 20 GB of Hard disk space for Standard Installation or 75 GB of Hard disk space for Full Installer. Choose "Store virtual disk as a single file" for better performance or "Split virtual disk into multiple files" for easier transfer to other system.
- Click "Next".
- Click "Customize Hardware...".
- Set RAM to at least 4 GB (6 GB recommended), Number of Processors & Cores per Processor to 2 Processors with 2 Cores each, Network Adapter to NAT.
- Click "Finish".
2. Start the Virtual Machine and Begin Installation- Select your new virtual machine and click "Power on this virtual machine".
- The Kali Linux installer will boot.
- In the menu select "Install".
- Follow the on-screen prompts to select your Language, Location, and Keyboard layout.
- Let the Virtual Machine to Configure Network by itself.
Note: It may fail. But don't worry just click Continue. On next screen select "Do not configure the network at this time" and press Enter - When prompted for a hostname, you can enter "kali" or any name you prefer.
- Enter your Full Name when prompted.
- Type in your Username for the account.
- Set up a root password and confirm it.
- Partition the disk:
- Select "Guided - use entire disk".
- Choose the disk to partition.
- Select "All files in one partition (recommended for new users)" and press Enter.
- Confirm the partitioning changes by selecting "Finish partitioning and write changes to disk" and pressing Enter key.
- Select "Yes" on next screen.
- Install the Kali Linux Base System.
- When prompted by Software Selection just select all the Options and press Enter.
- Select the Default display manager (gdm3/lightdm/sddm) when prompted and press Enter again.
- Install the GRUB bootloader when prompted in /dev/sda or the storage drive that is shown.
- Finish the installation and reboot the system.
- Login using root account.
- Open Terminal and run following commands to Update and Upgrade the system.
Note: When prompted for password enter the root password you created and press Enter.
Important: Password entered by you might not be visible.
sudo apt update -y
sudo apt upgrade -y
3. Install VMware Tools (Optional but Recommended)
To enhance performance and enable features like shared folders and improved graphics, install VMware Tools:
- With the Kali Linux running and logged in to root account.
- Open Terminal as Super User (Root).
- Install VMware Tools using following command:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop -y
- Wait for the installation to complete and then reboot using following command:
sudo reboot now
💡Tip: You can directly import the Virtual Image for VMware from the following link:
- Open VMware Workstation.
- Click on "Create a New Virtual Machine".
- Select "Typical (recommended)" and click Next.
- Select "Installer disk image file (ISO)" and browse to select the Kali Linux ISO you downloaded.
- Select "Linux" as the guest operating system and "Debian 10.x 64-bit" as the version.
- Name your virtual machine (e.g., "Kali Linux") and choose a location to store it.
- Allocate 20 GB of Hard disk space for Standard Installation or 75 GB of Hard disk space for Full Installer. Choose "Store virtual disk as a single file" for better performance or "Split virtual disk into multiple files" for easier transfer to other system.
- Click "Next".
- Click "Customize Hardware...".
- Set RAM to at least 4 GB (6 GB recommended), Number of Processors & Cores per Processor to 2 Processors with 2 Cores each, Network Adapter to NAT.
- Click "Finish".
2. Start the Virtual Machine and Begin Installation
- Select your new virtual machine and click "Power on this virtual machine".
- The Kali Linux installer will boot.
- In the menu select "Install".
- Follow the on-screen prompts to select your Language, Location, and Keyboard layout.
- Let the Virtual Machine to Configure Network by itself.
Note: It may fail. But don't worry just click Continue. On next screen select "Do not configure the network at this time" and press Enter - When prompted for a hostname, you can enter "kali" or any name you prefer.
- Enter your Full Name when prompted.
- Type in your Username for the account.
- Set up a root password and confirm it.
- Partition the disk:
- Select "Guided - use entire disk".
- Choose the disk to partition.
- Select "All files in one partition (recommended for new users)" and press Enter.
- Confirm the partitioning changes by selecting "Finish partitioning and write changes to disk" and pressing Enter key.
- Select "Yes" on next screen.
- Install the Kali Linux Base System.
- When prompted by Software Selection just select all the Options and press Enter.
- Select the Default display manager (gdm3/lightdm/sddm) when prompted and press Enter again.
- Install the GRUB bootloader when prompted in /dev/sda or the storage drive that is shown.
- Finish the installation and reboot the system.
- Login using root account.
- Open Terminal and run following commands to Update and Upgrade the system.
Note: When prompted for password enter the root password you created and press Enter.
Important: Password entered by you might not be visible.
sudo apt update -y
sudo apt upgrade -y
3. Install VMware Tools (Optional but Recommended)
- With the Kali Linux running and logged in to root account.
- Open Terminal as Super User (Root).
- Install VMware Tools using following command:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop -y
- Wait for the installation to complete and then reboot using following command:
sudo reboot now
💡Tip: You can directly import the Virtual Image for VMware from the following link:
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