How to Install Kali Linux

Step 1: Configure Kali Linux Repositories

The first step is to set correct Kali Linux repositories. Make sure that your /etc/apt/sources.list file contains the following official Kali repositories:

deb https://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib
deb-sources https://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib

WARNING Use only official Kali Linux repositories. Any other listed 3rd-party and unofficial repositories within the /etc/apt/sources.list file may break or compromise your Kali Linux system.

Step 2: Update Kali Linux

To begin the update of your Kali Linux system first update the packages index list. Open up terminal and enter:

$ sudo apt update

Next, optionally, display all packages which are scheduled for update:

$ apt list --upgradable

At this stage we have an option to upgrade individual packages using apt install PACKAGE-NAME or upgrade all packages at once:

$ sudo apt upgrade

How to update Kali Linux

All done. Your Kali Linux system is now fully upgraded.

Step 3: Upgrade Kept Back Packages

Due to package dependency changes some of the Kali Linux packages might be kept back.

If this is this case you will be notified by the apt upgrade Linux command at the end of the Kali Linux upgrade process. You may upgrade each kept back package individually using the apt install PACKAGE-NAME command or update all kept back packages at once:

$ sudo apt dist-upgrade

Step 4: Uninstall No Longer Required Packages

During your initial system upgrade some of the packages may become obsolete, hence are no longer required. To remove all no longer required Kali Linux packages execute:

Kali Linux Installation Requirements

Installing Kali Linux on your computer is an easy process. First, you’ll need compatible computer hardware. Kali is supported on i386, amd64, and ARM (both armel and armhf) platforms. The hardware requirements are minimal as listed below, although better hardware will naturally provide better performance. The i386 images have a default PAE kernel, so you can run them on systems with over 4GB of RAM. Download Kali Linux and either burn the ISO to DVD, or prepare a USB stick with Kali Linux Live as the installation medium. If you do not have a DVD drive or USB port on your computer, check out the Kali Linux Network Install.

Installation Prerequisites

A minimum of 20 GB disk space for the Kali Linux install.
RAM for i386 and amd64 architectures, minimum: 1GB, recommended: 2GB or more.
CD-DVD Drive / USB boot support

Preparing for the Installation

Download Kali linux.
Burn The Kali Linux ISO to DVD or Image Kali Linux Live to USB.
Ensure that your computer is set to boot from CD / USB in your BIOS.

Kali Linux Installation Procedure

To start your installation, boot with your chosen installation medium. You should be greeted with the Kali Boot screen. Choose either Graphical or Text-Mode install. In this example, we chose a GUI install.

Select your preferred language and then your country location. You’ll also be prompted to configure your keyboard with the appropriate keymap.
Specify your geographic location.
The installer will copy the image to your hard disk, probe your network interfaces, and then prompt you to enter a hostname for your system. In the example below, we’ve entered “kali” as our hostname.
You may optionally provide a default domain name for this system to use.
Next, provide a full name for a non-root user for the system.
A default user ID will be created, based on the full name you provided. You can change this if you like.
Next, set your time zone.
The installer will now probe your disks and offer you four choices. In our example, we’re using the entire disk on our computer and not configuring LVM (logical volume manager). Experienced users can use the “Manual” partitioning method for more granular configuration options.
Select the disk to be partitioned.
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.
Configure network mirrors. Kali uses a central repository to distribute applications. You’ll need to enter any appropriate proxy information as needed.

NOTE! If you select “NO” in this screen, you will NOT be able to install packages from Kali repositories.
Next, install GRUB.
Finally, click Continue to reboot into your new Kali installation.