How to Install Kali Linux on VMware for Penetration Testing?

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The installation of Kali Linux is a bit difficult for new users. So in this article, we help you to install Kali Linux version 2.0 on VMWare. The Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing.

The first thing you need to install VMware on your computer and create a Virtual Machine for Kali Linux then set up a Penetration Testing Lab.

The second step is to download the latest version of Kali Linux for you Pentest Lab.

How to Install Kali Linux On VMWare?

Now I assume that you have installed VMWare, created a virtual machine and the Kali Linux image downloaded successfully. So you are ready to install Kali Linux.

  1. Open the VMWare and run the Kali Linux virtual machine to boot the Kali.
Install Kali Linux

2. Select Graphical Install from Boot menu with arrow keys and press enter.

Select a Language

3. Choose your system language and click Continue or press enter.

Select Your Location

4. Select your location for local page and click Continue.

Configure the Keyboard

5. Select American English from Configure the Keyboard page or what keyboard standard you are using then click Continue.

Configure the Network

6. From the Configure the Network page, type your hostname and click Continue.

Kali Domain Name

7. Leave the Domain name empty and click Continue if you don’t have a directory server.

Set up Users name and Passwords

8. Set a password for the root user and click Continue. Don’t forget the password. If you forgot the password read the Reset Kali Linux Password topic.

Configure the Clock

9. Select the time zone of your location from Configure the Clock page then click Continue.

Partition Disks

10. On the Partition Disks page, select Guided-use entire disk then click Continue.

All data will be erased from the disk

11. On the above screen do nothing and click Continue.

All files in one Partition

12. Select All files in one partition (recommended for new users) and then click Continue.

Finish partition and write changes to disk

13. Select Finish partition and write changes to disk then click Continue to apply the changes for partitioning the hard disk.

Partition Hard Disk

14. Finally, select Yes the click Continue to implement the changes.

Installation Process

It takes time to finish the installation, so be patient and drink a cup of tea.  😉

15. For Configure the package manager selects No and click Continue.

Configure the package manager

16. Select Yes to install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk and click Continue.

Install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk

17. On the Install, the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk page select /dev/sda then clicks Continue.

Dev Sda – Install Kali Linux on VMWare for Penetration Test Lab.

18. Finally, the installation has finished successfully. Click Continue.

Finish the Installation

The system will reboot and log in as root user and password you have entered.

Kali Linux Login Page

Yes, welcome to Kali Linux v2.0.

Welcome to Kali Linux

That’s all. Hope you can install Kali Linux without any problems.

How toInstall and ConfigureKali LinuxPenetration TestingVirtualization
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  • Niaz Ahmad

    This is excellent training..!