How to Install Kali Linux on VMware Workstation

Kali Linux is a popular distribution used for penetration testing and security assessments. Installing Kali Linux on VMware Workstation allows you to run it in a virtual environment, providing a safe space for testing without affecting your primary operating system. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Kali Linux on VMware Workstation.

1. Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• VMware Workstation: Installed on your computer. You can download it from the VMware website.
• Kali Linux ISO: Download the latest Kali Linux ISO file from the official Kali Linux website.

2. Creating a New Virtual Machine

Step 1: Open VMware Workstation

Launch VMware Workstation on your computer.

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Click on “Create a New Virtual Machine“.
2. Select “Typical (recommended)” and click Next.

Step 3: Select the Installation Media

1. Choose “Use ISO image” and browse to select the Kali Linux ISO file you downloaded.
2. Click Next.

Step 4: Choose a Guest Operating System

1. Select Linux as the guest operating system.
2. From the version dropdown, choose Debian 10.x 64-bit (Kali is based on Debian).
3. Click Next.

Step 5: Name Your Virtual Machine

1. Provide a name for your virtual machine (e.g., “Kali Linux”).
2. Choose a location to store the virtual machine files.
3. Click Next.

3. Allocating Resources

Step 1: Set Processor and Memory

1. Allocate the number of processor cores (2 cores is a good starting point).
2. Set the amount of RAM for the virtual machine. At least 2 GB is recommended for Kali Linux, but more can improve performance (4 GB or more is preferable).
3. Click Next.

Step 2: Configure Network Type

Choose “Use Network Address Translation (NAT)” or “Bridged” depending on your network requirements. NAT is suitable for basic internet access.

Step 3: Configure Disk

1. Select “Create a new virtual disk” and click Next.
2. Choose “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” and set the disk size. A minimum of 20 GB is recommended.
3. Select “Store virtual disk as a single file” for better performance.
4. Click Next.

4. Finalizing the Virtual Machine Setup

Step 1: Review the Settings

Review your configuration settings and click Finish to create the virtual machine.

Step 2: Start the Virtual Machine

Select your newly created Kali Linux virtual machine and click “Power on this virtual machine.”

5. Installing Kali Linux

Step 1: Select Installation Method

When the VM boots, you will see the Kali Linux boot menu. Choose either “Graphical Install” or “Install” for a text-based installation.

Step 2: Follow Installation Prompts

1. Select Language: Choose your preferred language.
2. Select Location: Choose your geographical location.
3. Configure Keyboard: Set up your keyboard layout.
4. Network Configuration: You may skip the network configuration for a simple installation.

Step 3: Partition Disks

1. Partition Method: Choose “Guided – use entire disk” unless you want to customize your partitions.
2. Select Disk: Choose the virtual disk created for Kali Linux.
3. Confirm Partitioning: Follow prompts to confirm the changes.

Step 4: Configure Package Manager

1. Select a Mirror: Choose a mirror for package downloads (the default is usually sufficient).
2. Configure the Package Manager: Enter your proxy settings if necessary.

6. Finishing Installation

Step 1: Install GRUB Bootloader

1. When prompted, choose to install the GRUB bootloader.
2. Select the virtual disk where GRUB should be installed.

Step 2: Complete Installation

1. After GRUB installation, the installation will complete.
2. Once prompted, reboot the virtual machine.

7. Post-Installation Configuration

Step 1: Log into Kali Linux

After rebooting, log in with the default username and password (default: root / toor for older versions or kali / kali for recent versions).

Step 2: Update the System

Open a terminal and run the following commands to update the package list and upgrade installed packages:

8. Conclusion

Installing Kali Linux on VMware Workstation provides a powerful environment for security testing and research. By following this guide, you can set up your Kali Linux virtual machine and begin exploring its features and tools for penetration testing. Always remember to use Kali Linux ethically and responsibly.