Installing Kali Linux on Oracle's Virtual Box
This is a step-by-step guide on how to install Kali linux as a virtual machine on Oracle's Virtual Box
- Download Oracle Virtual Box https://www.virtualbox.org/ and install it
- Download the Kali ISO https://www.kali.org/ (I prefer the installer image)
- Start VBox
- Machine > New
- Virtual machine name and operating system:
- VM Name: give it a name
- VM Folder: choose location
- ISO Image: select your downloaded ISO file
- OS: Linux
- OS Distribution: Debian
- OS Version: Debian (64-bit)
- Finish
- Settings
- General > Features
- Shared clipboard: Bidirectional
- Drag-and-Drop: Bidirectional
- System > Motherboard
- Base Memory: 4096 MB
- Boot Device Order (BIOS only): Remove floppy, have Hard Disk first
- System > Processor
- Number of CPUs: 2
- Tick PAE/NX
- Display > Screen
- Video Memory: 128 MB
- Storage
- Leave at defaults
- Network
- Adapter 1
- Attached to: Bridged Adapter
- Name: Select your adapter
- Adapter Type: Paravirtualised network
- Promiscuous Mode: Allow VMs
- Ok
Start the VM.
- Graphical install
- Select your language i.e. English
- Continue
- Select your location i.e. United Kingdom
- Continue
- Configure the keyboard i.e. British English
- Continue
- Installer components will now load
- Enter a hostname for your new VM
- Continue
- Just select Continue for Configure the network
- Add user account name
- Continue
- Enter password for user account twice
- Continue
- Installation will continue
- Guided - use entire disk
- Continue
- Select disk
- Continue
- All files in one partition (recommended for new users)
- Continue
- Continue
- Partition disks: Yes, Continue
- System will be installed
- Software selection
- Continue
- The software install will continue for some time
- Install the GRUB boot loader: Yes, Continue
- Select device and Continue
- Finish the installation: Continue
- VM will reboot
- Login (at UI not command prompt)
- Open a terminal
- sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
- Enter your password and hit return
- You may have to hit y for yes. Your OS will be updated
- Note that you may need to configure your home firewall/router to allow access to the internet
- sudo apt install -y --reinstall virtualbox-guest-x11
- Close terminal
- By default a screen lock may be activated. To disable:
- Kali logo : enter Power Manager
- Display > Display power management : disable
- System > Lock screen when system is going to sleep : disable
- Screensaver Management
- Enable Screensaver : disable
- Lock Screen > Enable lockscreen : disable
- Power down VM
- Take snapshot
If you have any issues, suggestions or feedback for this article please email me.
Dave
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Last updated: 30th May 2026
