Installing 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)
platforms. 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.
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.
o 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
Kali Linux Installation Procedure
Boot
1. 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.
Language
2. Select your preferred language. This will be used for both the setup process and once you
are using Kali Linux.
3. Specify your geographic location.
4. Select your keyboard layout.
Network
5. 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.
6. 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
7. Next, create the user account for the system (Full name, username and a strong password).
Clock
8. Next, set your time zone.
Disk
9. The installer will now probe your disks and offer you various choices, depending on the
setup.
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.
10. Select the disk to be partitioned.
11. 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”.
12. 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
13. 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.
14. 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
15. Next confirm to install the GRUB boot loader.
16. Select the hard drive to install the GRUB bootloader in (it does not by default select any
drive).
Reboot
17. Finally, click Continue to reboot into your new Kali Linux installation.