Depends on your intent I suppose. Naturally, a direct install would run faster than a VM but if you actually require safety then I believe the generally accepted mentality is to not install it at all but to run it live so that every time you boot it you get a clean run. That way you can't get hacked on it and have malware/rootkits or whatever installed. Personally, I like ParrotOS running live mode inside a VM just for the added security of the host being protected as well. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
Kali Linux
kali.org › get-kali
Get Kali | Kali Linux
June 19, 2025 - VMware & VirtualBox pre-built images. Allowing for a Kali install without altering the host OS with additional features such as snapshots.
Kali Linux
kali.org › docs › virtualization › install-virtualbox-guest-vm
Kali inside VirtualBox (Guest VM) | Kali Linux Documentation
December 22, 2025 - This guide is about virtualizing Kali Linux inside of VirtualBox, allowing you to have a Kali VM. This is a great way to use Kali, as it is completely separate from the host, allows you to interact with other VMs (as well as the host machine and other machines on the network), and allows you to revert to snapshots.
Should I install Kali on a virtualbox or should I directly install it as a dualboot?
Depends on your intent I suppose. Naturally, a direct install would run faster than a VM but if you actually require safety then I believe the generally accepted mentality is to not install it at all but to run it live so that every time you boot it you get a clean run. That way you can't get hacked on it and have malware/rootkits or whatever installed. Personally, I like ParrotOS running live mode inside a VM just for the added security of the host being protected as well. More on reddit.com
59
61
January 22, 2022Installing Kali Linux via virtual-box on Zorin OS 16.3 64 bit
I downloaded virtualbox successfully and preceeded to download the virtual machine file at Get Kali | Kali Linux Upon installing the virtual machine file and running the OS through virtualbox i get not kali linux but the OS pasted into this chat (GRUB). i also tried downloading and running ... More on forum.zorin.com
0
February 29, 2024Hyper-V or Virtual Box for tiny home lab including Kali Linux?
Do you need the host machine for any baremetal purposes? You could install esxi, xen, or proxmox and run a type 1 hypervisor. Then you could spin up whatever VM you want and remote into them. Depends on your needs. More on reddit.com
15
4
June 25, 2024Failed to import appliance (Kali Linux)
This appears to be a known bug with the latest OVA. Either try downloading the last released version, wait for the next release, or just install Kali using an installer/live cd ISO.
More on reddit.com 5
3
August 13, 2017Videos
03:46
How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox on Windows 11 - YouTube
02:51
How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox on Windows 11 (2025 Guide) ...
12:25
How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox (2026) | Complete ...
02:51
How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox on Windows 11 (2026 Guide) ...
04:45
Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox (2025) | Kali Linux 2025.1a - YouTube
12:29
How To Install Kali Linux 2025 in VirtualBox (2026 UPDATED) - YouTube
Oracle VirtualBox
virtualbox.org › wiki › Linux_Downloads
Linux_Downloads – Oracle VirtualBox
The VirtualBox base package binaries are released under the terms of the GPL version 3. Please choose the appropriate package for your Linux distribution.
Medium
medium.com › @neonmaxima › setting-up-a-shadow-lab-kali-linux-and-virtualbox-for-the-truly-paranoid-9caca5674f15
Setting Up a Shadow Lab: Kali Linux and VirtualBox for the Truly Paranoid | by Aeon Flex, Elriel Assoc. 2133 [NEON MAXIMA] | Medium
July 26, 2025 - If it runs Linux, better. If it runs MacOS, you’re gonna suffer, but you’ll suffer beautifully. No judgment. ... VirtualBox: Download the latest version directly from Oracle’s vomit spigot. Avoid the Ubuntu repo version. It’s crippled like a dog in a VR helmet. Extension Pack: Same page, scroll down. This gives you USB pass-through and VRDE. Without it you’re just dreaming in a sandbox with no arms. Kali Linux ISO: Get it from the official site.
Kali Linux
kali.org › docs › virtualization › import-premade-virtualbox
Import Pre-Made Kali VirtualBox VM | Kali Linux Documentation
December 22, 2025 - We first need to extract the VirtualBox image: kali@kali:~$ 7z x kali-linux-2025.4-virtualbox-amd64.7z [...] kali@kali:~$ If we are using Windows we can instead use the official 7z app.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › linux-unix › best-virtual-machines-for-kali-linux
Best Virtual Machines for Kali Linux - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - Launch VirtualBox, then select “New” to set up a virtual machine. Let the wizard configure the virtual machine choosing its type as a Linux and flavor as Debian (64-bit). Provide RAM, build a virtual HDD, and select the Kali Linux iso image ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/hacking › should i install kali on a virtualbox or should i directly install it as a dualboot?
r/hacking on Reddit: Should I install Kali on a virtualbox or should I directly install it as a dualboot?
January 22, 2022 -
Basically which one is faster and safer?
Top answer 1 of 18
60
Depends on your intent I suppose. Naturally, a direct install would run faster than a VM but if you actually require safety then I believe the generally accepted mentality is to not install it at all but to run it live so that every time you boot it you get a clean run. That way you can't get hacked on it and have malware/rootkits or whatever installed. Personally, I like ParrotOS running live mode inside a VM just for the added security of the host being protected as well.
2 of 18
27
I think you mean Faster or Safer Faster: dual-boot Safer: VM
Oracle VirtualBox
virtualbox.org › wiki › Downloads
Downloads – Oracle VirtualBox
Linux distributions · Solaris hosts · Solaris 11 IPS hosts · Platform packages are released under the terms of the GPL version 3 · VirtualBox Extension Pack · VirtualBox 7.2.6 Extension Pack · This VirtualBox Extension Pack Personal Use and Educational License governs your access ...
Medium
medium.com › @farhadanwari › a-guide-to-install-kali-linux-on-windows-with-oracle-virtual-box-530d8947c667
A Guide to Install Kali Linux on Oracle Virtual Box for Windows Users | by Farhad Anwari | Medium
June 24, 2024 - A Guide to Install Kali Linux on Oracle Virtual Box for Windows Users Set up your Kali Linux operating system on Oracle Virtual Box on your Windows machine. Introduction Are you interested in diving …
Kali Linux
kali.org
Kali Linux | Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Linux Distribution
A mobile penetration testing platform for Android devices, based on Kali Linux. Kali NetHunter consists of an NetHunter App, App Store, Kali Container, and KeX. Kali in your pocket, ready to go with Live Boot. Your Kali, always with you, without altering the host OS, plus allows you to benefit from hardware access. VMware, VirtualBox & QEMU pre-built images ready to go.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › linux-unix › how-to-install-kali-linux-in-virtualbox
How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox? - GeeksforGeeks
December 12, 2025 - Kali Linux ISO File which can be downloaded from here. Virtual Box on the System. ... 3. Allot the size of RAM memory you want to allocate to the Virtual Machine of Kali Linux.
Kali Linux
kali.org › docs › virtualization › install-virtualbox-host
Installing VirtualBox on Kali (Host) | Kali Linux Documentation
June 18, 2025 - You can install VirtualBox on Kali Linux, allowing you to use virtual machines (VMs) inside of Kali Linux. However if you are wanting to install Kali Linux as a VM, you want our Kali Linux Guest VirtualBox guide.
NAKIVO
nakivo.com › linux › how to install kali linux on virtualbox: in-depth guide
How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox: An Expert Guide
December 14, 2023 - Let’s download Kali Linux 64-bit v.2023.3 and then go over the installation process. You can download images via HTTP and Torrent protocols. Save the ISO file to a custom folder, for example, D:\VirtualBox\kali-linux-2023.3-installer-amd64.iso.
PhoenixNAP
phoenixnap.com › home › kb › sysadmin › how to install kali linux on virtualbox
How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox {Step by Step Tutorial}
March 28, 2024 - Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux ... machine on a type 2 hypervisor such as VirtualBox provides the isolation and rollback capabilities necessary for advanced security testing....
Zorin Forum
forum.zorin.com › general help
Installing Kali Linux via virtual-box on Zorin OS 16.3 64 bit - General Help - Zorin Forum
February 29, 2024 - I downloaded virtualbox successfully and preceeded to download the virtual machine file at Get Kali | Kali Linux Upon installing the virtual machine file and running the OS through virtualbox i get not kali linux but the OS pasted into this chat (GRUB). i also tried downloading and running ...
Medium
medium.com › @baslaazhar › how-to-install-kali-linux-on-virtualbox-a-step-by-step-guide-for-beginners-eb6b39623602
How to Install Kali Linux on VirtualBox: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners | by Basla Azhar | Medium
October 21, 2024 - Open VirtualBox and click on the “New” button to create a new virtual machine. ... Set the Type to Linux. Set the Version to Debian (64-bit) (since Kali is based on Debian).
OffSec Support
help.offsec.com › hc › en-us › articles › 360049796792-Kali-Linux-Virtual-Machine
Kali Linux Virtual Machine – OffSec Support Portal
Once the VM has booted, you can log in with the username of kali and the password of kali. Make sure you change the default password with the passwd command after you have logged in. As with macOS, the majority of Linux distributions do not require any additional software in order to verify the integrity of the downloaded file.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/virtualization › hyper-v or virtual box for tiny home lab including kali linux?
r/virtualization on Reddit: Hyper-V or Virtual Box for tiny home lab including Kali Linux?
June 25, 2024 -
I'm looking to set up a small home lab with at most 2 or 3 VMs running on a Windows 11 Pro host. Most of the time I'll have only 1 running. I'd like to have them be able to communicate with each other and have something like Kali Linux running on one and practice cybersecurity related things.
I'm not sure whether I should use Hyper-V for something like this or Virtual Box (or VMWare Player if that's recommended instead). I've used Virtual Box plenty over the years but have almost no experience with Hyper-V aside from totally messing up my Windows networking with it once.
I have a gaming laptop with 32 GB of RAM. I'm looking into this under the assumption that WSL 2 wouldn't be the best because of limitations. It'd also be nice to have full desktop environments that I could take regular snapshots of and roll back when needed.
Top answer 1 of 7
3
Do you need the host machine for any baremetal purposes? You could install esxi, xen, or proxmox and run a type 1 hypervisor. Then you could spin up whatever VM you want and remote into them. Depends on your needs.
2 of 7
3
VirtualBox is easier, but Hyper-V has better performance in most cases. If you want a headache-free experience use VBox, if you'd rather optimize for performance learn and use Hyper-V. You can have both installed at the same time, but vbox will try to use the hyper-v engine for virtualization, and it may affect performance and guest compatibility, so unless needed is best to choose one and not install/enable the other.
VirtualBox
forums.virtualbox.org › board index › general › virtualbox on linux hosts
Launch a VM inside a Kali Linux Virtual machine (VERR_VMX_NO_VMX) - virtualbox.org
April 1, 2024 - Result Code: NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0X80004005) Component: ConsoleWrap Interface: IConsole {6ac83d89-6ee7-4e33-8ae6-b257b2e81be8} In the settings of this vitual machine in System\Processor, I have "Enable Nested VT-x/AMD-V" but when I launch lscpu in the Kali Linux that needs to hosts this virtual machine so I can see this: Itlb multihit: KVM: Mitigation: VMX unsupported I don't know how to have VMX supported for this virtual machine, I have tried to enter the Bios of this Virtual machine by having typed F2 several times during the Boot of this Virtual machine, I am spearking about the virtual machine on my physical host, would someon has faced the same issue before ?
Kali Linux
kali.org › docs › virtualization › running-kali-vm-windows
Running Kali Linux as a Virtual Machine in Windows | Kali Linux Documentation
June 18, 2025 - Running Kali Linux as a Virtual Machine in Windows · Installing VMware on Kali (Host) Installing VMware on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs (Host) Installing VirtualBox on Kali (Host) Kali inside Parallels (Guest VM) Kali inside Vagrant (Guest VM) Kali inside VMware (Guest VM) Import Pre-Made Kali VMware VM ·