Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Please make sure to review the following configuration before proceeding.

According to Microsoft’s documentation regarding Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) set-up:

1. Install Kali’s WSL distribution by running wsl --install -d kali-linux in an administrator command-line shell.
2. Restart your machine.
3. Open the Kali app from the Start menu, and follow Microsoft’s best practices for setting-up your Kali user account.
4. (Optional) Install Windows Terminal for easier access to Kali, PowerShell, cmd and other WSL distros you might have installed (e.g. Ubuntu)

The default WSL installation provides a minimal Kali system without a GUI. In order to use the desktop as found in the VM or ISO version of Kali or launch GUI apps, you need to install Win-KeX.

1. Install kali-win-kex package:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install kali-win-kex
   

2. Launch Win-KeX from your Kali WSL app:
   • Windowed mode: kex --win -s
   • Seamless mode: kex --sl -s
   • Enhanced Session Mode: kex --esm --ip -s

Refer to the Win-KeX documentation for more information.