How to install Kali Linux on Hyper-V in Windows 11

While we know Hyper-V is the Windows virtual machine that is pre-installed on Windows 11 and can be used to install various operating systems.

Today in our publication, we will learn how to install it in an easy and safe way, we invite you to continue reading so you can learn all this and more.

How to install Kali Linux on Hyper-V in Windows 11

Prerequisites:

Windows 11 System: Ensure Hyper-V virtualization is enabled within your Windows 11 machine. You can verify this by searching for "Turn Windows features on or off" and confirming that the "Hyper-V" checkbox is selected.

Kali Linux ISO File: Download the latest version compatible with Hyper-V installations from the official Kali Linux Downloads page (https://www.kali.org/get-kali/). It's recommended to choose the 64-bit version for optimal performance.

System Resources: Allocate a minimum of 2GB of RAM for the virtual machine, although more RAM is recommended for enhanced performance during demanding tasks.

Deployment Procedure:

Hyper-V Manager Activation (if not already enabled):

To activate Hyper-V Manager, press the Windows Key + R combination to launch the Run dialog.

In the text field, type optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter.

Within the "Turn Windows features on or off" window, locate "Hyper-V" and ensure the checkbox is selected. You can also select any additional features required, such as Virtual Machine Management Tools.

Click OK and follow any on-screen prompts to finalize the installation. A system restart might be necessary.

Obtaining the Kali Linux ISO File:

Visit the Kali Linux Downloads page (https://www.kali.org/get-kali/) and choose the version compatible with Hyper-V (opting for the 64-bit version is generally recommended).

Download the ISO file and save it to a readily accessible location on your Windows 11 machine.

Virtual Machine Creation:

Open Hyper-V Manager, typically located by searching for it in the Start menu.

In the right-hand pane's "Actions" section, click New and select Virtual Machine.

Proceed through the on-screen wizard to create a new virtual machine, specifying the following details:

Name: Assign a descriptive name for your Kali Linux VM (e.g., Kali-VM).

Generation: Select "Generation 2" for improved compatibility and security features.

Memory: Allocate RAM for the VM, with a minimum of 2GB recommended. Adjust this value based on your system's available resources for optimal performance.

Virtual hard disk: Choose "Create a virtual hard disk" and specify the desired disk size for your Kali Linux installation (e.g., 20GB).

Network: Select the appropriate network connection for the VM (typically a virtual switch is recommended).

Connection: Decide whether to connect the virtual hard disk now or later.

Kali Linux Installation and Configuration:

Right-click on the newly created virtual machine and select Connect.

During the VM boot process, choose the downloaded Kali Linux ISO file as the boot source. You might need to modify the virtual machine settings to configure the boot order if necessary.

Follow the on-screen installation instructions provided by Kali Linux. The installation process resembles installing any operating system, guiding you through language selection, keyboard layout, partitioning options, user account credentials, and software selection.

Additional Considerations:

The Kali Linux installation process might offer partitioning options for the virtual disk. It's generally recommended to maintain the default partitioning scheme unless you have specific requirements.

The installation duration can vary depending on your system's specifications.

Upon successful installation, you'll be able to boot into your newly created Kali Linux virtual machine within the Hyper-V environment.

We hope that with these steps you can effectively deploy a Kali Linux environment inside a Hyper-V virtual machine on your Windows 11 system. Always remember to allocate enough RAM and storage resources to the virtual machine to ensure smooth operation and efficient execution of tasks within your Kali Linux environment.