How to create Kali Linux bootable USB?

In this post, we will see how to create a bootable USB flash drive of Kali Linux operating system. Using this bootable Kali Linux USB, you can install Kali Linux on your computers (desktops or laptops) to test or learn using tools for Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT).

We will see methods of creating Kali Linux bootable USB on Linux as well as Windows systems. On Linux, we may or may not need any external tool to make it bootable, while on Windows we will use few tools to create Kali Linux bootable Pen Drive.

On Linux or on Windows, first step will be to download latest version ISO file of Kali Linux operating system. Navigate to Kali Linux official website. Navigate to download Menu and click on “Download Kali Linux” from the drop down.

The page will display a table with multiple options to download Kali Linux. Since we need to create a bootable USB to install Kali Linux on other computers, click on “Kali Linux 64-bit (installer)” link.

Save the file to your computer. Note the location where the file is being downloaded. Wait for the download to complete. The default location is current user’s download folder. Now, let us check out the process of creating CentOS USB on Linux and Windows using following methods:

A. Linux methods of creating Kali Linux USB

A.1 Command line method

Insert a USB flash drive and ensure you do not have any useful data on it as it will be wiped off. Run the following command to check the path to USB drive

$ df -h

Generally, the USB drive inserted into the system will be displayed at last of the list. However, you should match the size and label of your disk to ensure that you are overwriting the correct drive.

Now, use ‘dd’ command to write the ISO file to USB using following command syntax:

$ sudo dd bs=4M if=[source path to ISO file] of=[destination path to USB] status=progress oflag=sync

e.g. sudo dd bs=4M if=/home/techsolveprac/Downloads/kali-linux-2020.4-installer-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdb status=progress oflag=sync

Please note that you should ignore the last numerical digit in USB path (for e.g. usb path displayed is /dev/sdb1 but you should use /dev/sdb only). In most cases it will /dev/sdb, but you should carefully check as in some cases it can be /dev/sdc or any other alphabet at last. Use the displayed alphabet.

You may even check the video on how to create Kali Linux bootable USB on Linux using command line method.

B. Windows methods of creating Kali Linux USB

On windows you can any use of the tool given below as per choice:

B.1 Balena Etcher

Download, install and run Balena Etcher tool. Then follow three simple steps to flash CentOS ISO to flash drive as given below:

Step 1: Select CentOS ISO file from download location.

Step 2: Insert USB Flash Drive.

Step 3: Click on Flash.

Once the flashing is complete, Balena Etcher will validate the USB. Once the validation is complete you can close Balena Etcher software. The flash after successful flashing will disappear from File Explorer. If you want to see the process in detail as a recorded video, check out how to create Kali Linux bootable pen drive on Windows using Balena Etcher Software.

B.2 Rufus

Download the executable file and run Rufus tool. Click on ‘Select’ button to select the ISO file from download location. Keep the default settings and click on “Start” to flash the ISO file to Pen Drive. Wait for the process to finish. You can identify Kali Linux Bootable USB by volume label and presence of system files on the USB drive after flashing is complete.

If you want to see the process in detail as a recorded video, check out how to create Kali Linux bootable pen drive on Windows using Rufus Software.

Note 1: In some of the above cases, it is possible that the Flash Drive may reduce to a smaller size and become unusable for normal use. Don’t worry your flash drive is not damaged it happens just because the ISO file is written in dd mode. If this happens with your flash drive, check out how to repair USB drives damaged by Flashing tools.

Note 2: The above processes creates Kali Linux bootable USB for installation on computers as a host operating system. However, to start with Kali Linux, you may install it as a Guest Operating System without affecting your existing host machine. If required, you may check out how to install Kali Linux in Virtual Box?