How To Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox

Installing operating systems like Kali Linux virtually is one of the most convenient ways to try them as one does not need to remove the base operating system. There are several virtualization software to install Kali Linux virtually, including VirtualBox. Kali Linux specializes in penetration testing and security auditing, making it one of the popular Linux distributions for ethical hacking.

How To Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox

Kali Linux has hundreds of tools specifically designed for vulnerability scanning, password cracking, security research, and digital forensics. There are two ways to install Kali Linux on VirtualBox one is by using its installer image and the other is by using its pre-built image. Both ways will be discussed in this guide.

1: Manually Installing Kali Linux on VirtualBox

To install Kali on VirtualBox via its installer image you have to download its iso file and for that visit its official download page and click on Installer Images:

Selecting Kali Linux ISO file for VirtualBox

Next, select its 64-bit installer file, and the download will start, however, you can also download it via torrent which is a more convenient way:

Downloading Kali Linux ISO file for VirtualBox

After the download is completed launch VirtualBox and then click on the New option. Now add the name of the virtual machine and afterward set its installation directory. Once you are done now add the path of the installer image and then click on Next:

Creating a Virtual Machine on VirtualBox for Kali Linux

The next tab asks about the hardware specification you want to give for Kali Linux. Here I have allotted 7.5 GB RAM along with 4 CPUs, you can set the specification based on your system specification:

Assigning RAM and CPUs for Kali Linux Virtual Machine

Next, set the storage capacity of the system, it is recommended to set around 20 GB if you are planning to install multiple applications on it. Here I have allotted 25 GB of storage for Kali Linux:

Assigning Storage space for Kali Linux Virtual machine

Now at the end verify all the settings before finishing the creation of the virtual machine. You can head back to change any settings:

Summary of Virtual machine specifications for Kali Linux

Now since the Kali Linux virtual machine is created to install first select it and then click on Start:

Launching Kali Linux virtual machine on VirtualBox

On the startup, the installer will ask about the type of installation here I am installing the GUI version of Kali so I have selected the first option. If no option is selected the installer will by default select the first option:

Kali Linux installer menu (BIOS mode)

Once the installation is started, the first tab is about the language here you can select your desired language and click on continue to proceed:

Selecting the language for Kali Linux on VirtualBox

Now set the location as the installer will set the date and time according to it:

Selecting the location of Kali Linux system

After the location selection now select the layout of the system keyboard and click on continue:

Selecting the keyboard layout for Kali Linux

Now the setup will begin the installation:

installing Kali Linux via ISO file

The tab will ask about the Dynamic hostname which is primarily used by the system network. Here you can set a name of your choice and to proceed click on continue:

Entering the hostname for Kali Linux system on VirtualBox

Next, the installer will ask about the domain name if you have any. You can skip this step by clicking on Continue if you do not have any domain:

Entering a domain name for Kali Linux (optional)

To login to Kali Linux you need to set up a username and an account. For that enter the full name of the user which should be sort of a real name but that’s not necessary:

Entering the full name of the user for Kali Linux

Next, set the username for the account:

Setting the username of the Kali Linux account virtual machine

To protect the user account set its password. Here just for the sake of illustration I have set a weak password but you should set a strong one:

setting up password for the Kali Linux user account

Once you have set the password now set the time zone according to the given location for adjusting the clock:

Selecting the time zone for Kali Linux clock

While creating the virtual machine we allotted a space for Kali here the installer will ask to create disk partitions. So select the available one and proceed:

Selecting storage disk for Kali Linux

Since this is a virtual machine it is recommended to use the entire disk:

partitioning Kali Linux disk

The setup will ask about creating a single partition or multiple partitions for home and system directories. It is recommended to go with the first option:

selecting disk partition for files and directories of Kali Linux

Now verify the disk partition settings select finish partitioning and write changes to the disk option:

Reviewing disk partition settings and writing the changes to disk for Kali Linux

Once the settings are confirmed the system will ask for formatting of the partitions, select yes and click on Continue:

formatting partition disks of Kali Linux

Now the installation of the base system will begin:

Installing Kali Linux on Virtual Box

To install Kali Linux GUI a desktop environment is required so here select the suitable one. Here I have decided to move forward with the default option which is Xfce:

selecting desktop environment for Kali Linux

Now the installation of the desktop environment will start:

Installing Desktop environment and other programs for Kali Linux

Next, the installer asks to install the GRUB bootloader. The GRUB bootloader is a program that manages the startup process, letting you choose which operating system to load on your computer:

Installing GRUB boot loader for Kali Linux

If you have selected yes then set the disk on which it should be installed. Since there is only one drive it is selected automatically:

Selecting the disk for installing GRUB boot loader on Kali Linux

Once the installation is completed the setup will ask to reboot the system:

Reboot Kali Linux after installation completion

Once the system is rebooted you will see a login page as in the image below. Now use the set username and password to log in:

Kali Linux login page

This is how the Kali Linux interface looks like on VirtualBox installed via Installer image:

Kali Linux on Virtual Box (interface)

2: Adding Pre-installed Kali Linux Version in VirtualBox

The second method is the easiest one, especially for those who want to use Kali for light tasks or testing purposes. Kali Linux also comes with a pre-installed version it’s just like a plug-and-play. To download the pre-built image file for Kali visit its official download page and click on Virtual machines:

Selecting pre-built Kali Linux version for Virtual Box

Now select the architecture and then select the mode of download either direct download or torrent. It is recommended to download via its torrent file as it takes less time to download:

Downloading Kali Linux pre-built image for VirtualBox

Once the file is downloaded you need to extract it using any of the extraction tools. The extracted folder contains two files one is an image file and the other VirtualBox file:

Extracting the downloaded Kali Linux pre-built machine file using WinRAR

Now launch the VirtualBox and click on the Add option:

Adding the pre-built version of Kali Linux to Virtual Box

Now navigate to the directory where the file is placed and select the VirtualBox machine definition file:

Adding the pre-built version of Kali Linux to Virtual Box

Once the file is loaded launch Kali Linux by clicking on the Start option:

Launching the per-built Kali Linux version on Virtual Box

Next, select Kali GNU/Linux from the boot menu and proceed:

Kali Linux boot menu

By default, the username and password of Kali Linux is Kali in the case of a pre-installed version. So enter the default password and username to log in:

Kali Linux login page

Below is the interface of Kali Linux on VirtualBox installed via the pre-built version:

Kali Linux on Virtual Box (interface)

Note: Kali Linux installed through its pre-built image uses the same directory where the file is placed so before launching it you can save the file in your desired location to avoid any space issues.

Conclusion

Kali Linux can be installed virtually using VirtualBox in two ways: by using its installer image (ISO file ) or by loading the pre-built Kali Linux version. So, if you only plan to install Kali Linux for testing or debugging purposes then use its pre-installed file. On the other hand, if you plan to use it extensively then it is recommended that you should use the installer image.

Index
Scroll to Top