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VMware Workstation 17 Pro can run Kali Linux as a complete virtual machine without changing the host computer’s partitions. This guide uses Kali Linux 2026.2’s amd64 Installer ISO, which is the appropriate image for a normal installation. It covers VM sizing, VMware settings, the Kali installer, post-installation updates, VMware guest tools, and the fixes for common boot, network, graphics, and virtualization problems.
The instructions apply to 64-bit Intel and AMD hosts running a supported 64-bit operating system. You will need hardware virtualization enabled in UEFI/BIOS and enough free disk space for the virtual disk.
Before you begin
Prepare these items before opening VMware:
- VMware Workstation Pro 17: Download it from the Broadcom Support Portal. Workstation Pro is free for personal use after registering a Broadcom account; commercial licensing is separate.
- Kali Linux ISO: Download the Installer image for
amd64from the official Kali download page. Do not use the Live image unless you specifically want a non-installed environment. - Hardware virtualization: Enable Intel VT-x, Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, or SVM Mode in UEFI/BIOS.
- Free resources: Reserve at least 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of virtual disk space. For a normal desktop with updates, tools, and user files, 4–8 GB of RAM and a 60 GB virtual disk are more practical.
Download VMware Workstation Pro 17
Broadcom now hosts Workstation downloads in its Support Portal:
- Sign in at the Broadcom Support Portal.
- Open My Dashboard, then select My Downloads.
- Open Free Software Downloads and select VMware Workstation Pro.
- Expand VMware Workstation Pro 17.0 for Windows or VMware Workstation Pro 17.0 for Linux.
- Choose the required 17.x release, review the terms, select I agree to the Terms and Conditions, and download the installer.
Later 17.x releases are grouped under the portal’s 17.0 product family. Do not confuse the 17.x downloads with newer calendar-versioned Workstation branches.
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Workstation requires a compatible 64-bit Intel or AMD processor. If the VM later reports that VT-x or AMD-V is disabled, restart the host, enter UEFI/BIOS setup, and enable the virtualization setting. The exact name varies by manufacturer.
On Windows, Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, and Virtualization-Based Security can also change how Workstation accesses virtualization hardware. These features do not always prevent Workstation from running, but they can reduce performance or cause compatibility warnings. Disable them only as a troubleshooting step when direct VT-x/AMD-V operation is required.
Download and verify the Kali ISO
For this installation, select the 64-bit Installer image rather than NetInstaller or Live:
- Open kali.org/get-kali.
- Under the Installer Images, select the amd64 download.
- Save the ISO somewhere with sufficient storage, such as your Downloads folder or a dedicated ISO directory.
- Compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by Kali.
For stronger verification, validate Kali’s signed SHA256SUMS file with GPG. A corrupted or modified ISO can cause boot failures and unpredictable installation errors, so do not skip verification when the download was interrupted or obtained from a mirror you do not recognize.
Create the Kali virtual machine
- Open VMware Workstation Pro 17.
- Select Create a New Virtual Machine, or use File > New Virtual Machine.
- Choose Custom (advanced), then select Next.
- At Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility, select the compatibility level that matches where you intend to run the VM. The current Workstation 17 level provides the newest virtual hardware. An older level, such as Workstation 8.x, provides broader portability to older VMware releases but may omit newer features.
- At Install Operating System, choose Installer disc image file (iso), select Browse, and open the Kali amd64 Installer ISO.
- For the guest operating system, select Linux, then choose Debian 64-bit or the newest Debian 64-bit entry available.
- Enter a name such as
Kali Linux 2026.2. Select a storage location with adequate free space. This name is also used as the basis for the VM folder and related files. - Configure the processors. A suitable starting point is 2 processors with 2 cores per processor, giving the VM four virtual cores. Do not assign every host core to Kali.
- Set memory to 4 GB for a comfortable desktop. Use 2 GB only for a constrained host or a light installation. Tools such as Burp Suite may work better with 8 GB or more.
- For the network connection, select NAT. This gives Kali outbound access through the host without putting the VM directly on the physical LAN.
- Accept the default SCSI I/O controller.
- Accept SCSI for the virtual disk type.
- Select Create a new virtual disk.
- Set the disk capacity. Use 20 GB as a small baseline, 60 GB for general use, or 80 GB if you want to follow Kali’s current VMware example and have room for tools and data.
- Choose Store virtual disk as multiple files if portability and file-size management matter. Leave Allocate all disk space now clear to use a thin-provisioned disk that grows as data is written.
- Accept the virtual disk filename or specify another location, review the summary, and select Finish.
Adjust VMware settings before booting
Select the new VM and open VM > Settings. Check the following hardware:
| Setting | Recommended value | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 4 GB or more | Provides a more responsive graphical desktop than the 2 GB baseline. |
| Processors | 2–4 virtual cores | Enough for normal administration and lab work without starving the host. |
| Network Adapter | NAT | Normal outbound connectivity through the host. |
| CD/DVD | Use ISO image file | Ensures the VM boots from the Kali installer. |
| Display | Accelerated 3D graphics cleared | Kali reports that 3D acceleration can cause graphical problems. |
Optional settings are available under Options:
- For a laptop host, enable Power > Report battery information to guests.
- Set Shared Folders to Always enabled only if you intend to configure host-folder sharing. Do not add host paths casually.
- Under VMware Tools, enable Synchronize guest time with host.
Use Bridged networking only when Kali must appear as a separate device on the physical network. Use Host-only when you need an isolated host-to-VM network.
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Install Kali Linux from the ISO
- Power on the virtual machine.
- At the Kali boot menu, select Graphical install. Choose Install if you prefer the text-mode installer.
- Select the installation language, geographic location, and keyboard layout.
- Allow the installer to detect the VMware virtual network adapter and obtain an address through DHCP. If DHCP is unavailable, configure the network manually or continue without network configuration.
- Enter
kalias the hostname, or choose another hostname for your lab. Leave the domain name blank unless the VM belongs to a real domain. - Enter your full name, username, and a strong password for the standard user account.
- Select the time zone.
- At Partition disks, select Guided – use entire disk if this is a new virtual disk dedicated to Kali.
- Select the VMware virtual disk. Confirm that it is the virtual disk, not a disk passed through from the host.
- Choose All files in one partition unless you specifically need a separate
/homeor custom layout. - Select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk, then confirm the operation.
- Configure the package mirror. Leave the proxy field blank unless your network requires an HTTP proxy.
- At Software selection, retain the default Xfce desktop and default Kali tool collection for a normal desktop installation. Clear selections only if you intentionally want a smaller or headless system.
- When prompted to install GRUB, select Yes.
- Choose the VM’s virtual disk as the GRUB installation target.
- After installation completes, select Continue to reboot.
The guided “use entire disk” option affects the VM’s virtual disk, not the host’s physical disk. Nevertheless, selecting the wrong disk in the installer can destroy data stored on that virtual disk, so check the disk selection carefully.
Disconnect the ISO after installation
Before Kali boots again, disconnect the installer image:
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- Clear Connect at power on, or remove the ISO from the virtual drive.
- Start or restart the VM.
If the ISO remains connected, the VM may return to the Kali installation menu instead of booting the installed system.
Update Kali after the first login
Sign in with the standard user account created during installation. A normal ISO installation does not use the obsolete root/toor default. Run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -yIf Kali reports that a reboot is required, use:
[ -f /var/run/reboot-required ] && sudo reboot -fKali is a rolling distribution, so the point-release label on the ISO does not indicate that installed packages will remain at that version. Regular package updates are part of maintaining the system.
Install or repair VMware guest tools
Kali normally detects that it is running in VMware and installs the distribution-provided guest packages, including open-vm-tools and open-vm-tools-desktop. These packages are preferred for a current Kali guest over installing the old VMware Tools package from the Workstation menu.
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If desktop integration is missing, reinstall the packages and reboot:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y --reinstall open-vm-tools-desktop fuse
sudo reboot -fClipboard integration and automatic resizing may work after this package installation. Shared folders require additional configuration:
- Run
kali-tweaks. - Select Virtualization.
- Choose Install additional packages and scripts for VMware.
- Configure the desired host folders in VMware’s Options > Shared Folders screen.
- In Kali, run
sudo mount-shared-folders.
Configured shared folders should appear under /mnt/hgfs/. If clipboard or other VMware integration stops responding, run:
sudo restart-vm-toolsCommon problems and fixes
“This host supports Intel VT-x, but Intel VT-x is disabled”
Enable Intel VT-x, Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, or SVM Mode in UEFI/BIOS. If it is already enabled, check whether Hyper-V or VBS is controlling the virtualization layer. On Windows, those features can cause Workstation to use a different execution path. Disabling the relevant Windows virtualization features is a troubleshooting option, not a universal installation requirement.
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Confirm that the host has enough unused RAM and CPU capacity. A Kali VM with 4 GB of RAM should not be assigned to a host that only has 4 GB total. Windows Hyper-V and VBS may also reduce Workstation performance or change feature behavior. Review those settings only if performance remains poor after correcting the VM’s resource allocation.
Black screen or graphical glitches
Shut down Kali, open VM > Settings > Display, and clear Accelerated 3D graphics. This is the first graphics setting to change because Kali specifically documents problems associated with enabling it.
The installer reports “No space left on device”
A 20 GB disk can be insufficient once the desktop, default tool collection, updates, and user data are included. Create a larger virtual disk—60 GB is a more comfortable general-purpose size—or reduce the selected software. If the installer fails, review its logs for the exact package or filesystem that ran out of space.
No network or DHCP failure
Power off the VM and open VM > Settings > Network Adapter. Confirm that the adapter is present, connected, and set to NAT. In the installer, use manual network configuration or continue without network configuration if DHCP is unavailable. You can install required packages after configuring networking in Kali.
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Copy and paste work, but shared folders do not
Guest tools alone do not automatically mount VMware Shared Folders in Kali. Run kali-tweaks, install the additional VMware packages and scripts, configure a shared folder in Workstation, and then run sudo mount-shared-folders. Check /mnt/hgfs/ for the result.
The ISO does not boot
Confirm that the VM’s CD/DVD device points to the downloaded ISO and that Connect at power on is enabled. If the installer behaves unpredictably, download the image again from Kali’s official site and verify its SHA-256 checksum. A partial ISO download is a common cause of failed boots.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.ISO installation versus the prebuilt VMware image
Kali also publishes a prebuilt VMware image, such as kali-linux-2026.2-vmware-amd64.7z. This is a different route from the ISO procedure above:
- Download the prebuilt VMware archive from Kali.
- Extract the
.7zarchive. - In Workstation, select Open a Virtual Machine.
- Open the extracted
.vmxfile. - Start the imported VM.
Prebuilt images use default credentials documented by Kali, currently kali/kali. Change the password after the first login. Do not expect the prebuilt image to appear inside the New Virtual Machine wizard as an ISO installation.
FAQ
Is VMware Workstation Pro 17 free?
Workstation Pro is free for personal use after registering for a Broadcom account. Commercial use has separate licensing conditions, so it should not be described as universally free.
How much RAM should I give Kali Linux in VMware?
Use 2 GB only as a baseline for a small installation. Allocate 4 GB for a more comfortable desktop and 8 GB or more for demanding applications such as Burp Suite, provided the host has enough memory left.
Should I use NAT or Bridged networking for Kali?
Use NAT for most installations. It provides outbound internet access through the host while keeping the VM from appearing directly on the physical LAN. Choose Bridged only when Kali must operate as a separate device on that network.
Why does Kali ask me to create a user instead of using root?
Current Kali ISO installations create a standard user account during setup. The old root/toor guidance is obsolete. The kali/kali credentials apply to certain prebuilt or Live environments, not a normal ISO installation.
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Usually not. Kali normally installs open-vm-tools and open-vm-tools-desktop when it detects VMware. If integration is missing, reinstall the distribution packages with apt rather than using the legacy Install VMware Tools menu option.
Can I use a 20 GB virtual disk?
Yes, 20 GB is a practical minimum for a small default installation, but it leaves limited room for updates, additional tools, and data. A 60 GB disk is a better general-purpose choice; 80 GB gives more headroom.
The Bottom Line
For a reliable Kali VM, use the official amd64 Installer ISO, allocate around 4 GB of RAM and 60 GB of disk space, choose Debian 64-bit in the Custom VM wizard, use NAT networking, and disable Accelerated 3D graphics. After installation, update Kali with sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y and use open-vm-tools for VMware integration. Keep snapshots or backups before major lab changes so the VM can be restored without reinstalling Kali.
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