Win-KeX
Table of Contents
Content:
Overview
Win-KeX provides a Kali Desktop Experience for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2) with the following features:
- Window mode: start a Kali Linux desktop in a dedicated window
- Seamless mode: share the Windows desktop between Windows and Kali apps and menus
- Sound support
- Unprivileged and Root session support
- Shared clipboard for cut and paste support between Kali Linux and Windows apps
- Multi-session support: root window & non-priv window & seamless sessions concurrently
- Fully compatible with WSLg
This page details the steps to install Win-Kex in under 2 minutes.
Installation
All installation steps, up to the point where we install Win-Kex, are also explained in the 5 minute video guide by the amazing NetworkChuck:
New Kali Linux GUI on Windows 10 (WSL 2) // 2020.3 Release
Prerequisites
- Running Windows 10 version 2004 or higher
- Using Windows Terminal
Install Kali Linux in WSL2
- Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
Restart
Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
Restart
Download and install the WSL2 Linux Kernel from here: https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
wsl --set-default-version 2
Install Kali Linux from the Microsoft Store: [https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/kali-linux/9PKR34TNCV07]
Note: to upgrade an existing WSL1 kali-linux installation, type:
wsl --set-version kali-linux 2
Run Kali and finish the initial setup
Install Win-KeX
- Install win-kex via:
[email protected]:~$ sudo apt update
[email protected]:~$
[email protected]:~$ sudo apt install -y kali-win-kex
Run Win-KeX
Win-KeX supports three modes:
Window Mode:
To start Win-KeX in Window mode with sound support, run
kex --win -s
Refer to the Win-KeX Win usage documentation for further information.
Enhanced Session Mode:
To start Win-KeX in Enhanced Session Mode with sound support and arm workaround, run
kex --esm --ip -s
Refer to the Win-KeX ESM usage documentation for further information.
Seamless mode:
To start Win-KeX in Seamless mode with sound support, run
kex --sl -s
Refer to the Win-KeX SL usage documentation for further information.
Optional Steps:
- If you have the space, why not install “Kali with the lot”?:
sudo apt install -y kali-linux-large
- Create a Windows Terminal Shortcut:
Choose amongst these options:
Basic Win-KeX in window mode with sound:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ececc031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --wtstart -s",
},
Advanced Win-KeX in window mode with sound - Kali icon and start in kali home directory:
Copy the kali-menu.png icon across to your windows picture directory and add the icon and start directory to your WT config:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ececc031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"icon": "file:///c:/users/<windows user>/pictures/icons/kali-menu.png",
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --wtstart -s",
"startingDirectory" : "//wsl$/kali-linux/home/<kali user>"
},
Basic Win-KeX in seamless mode with sound:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ececc031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --sl --wtstart -s",
},
Advanced Win-KeX in seamless mode with sound - Kali icon and start in kali home directory:
Copy the kali-menu.png icon across to your windows picture directory and add the icon and start directory to your WT config:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ececc031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"icon": "file:///c:/users/<windows user>/pictures/icons/kali-menu.png",
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --sl --wtstart -s",
"startingDirectory" : "//wsl$/kali-linux/home/<kali user>"
},
Basic Win-KeX in ESM mode with sound:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ecedc031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --esm --wtstart -s",
},
Advanced Win-KeX in ESM mode with sound - Kali icon and start in kali home directory:
Copy the kali-menu.png icon across to your windows picture directory and add the icon and start directory to your WT config:
{
"guid": "{55ca431a-3a87-5fb3-83cd-11ecedd031d2}",
"hidden": false,
"icon": "file:///c:/users/<windows user>/pictures/icons/kali-menu.png",
"name": "Win-KeX",
"commandline": "wsl -d kali-linux kex --esm --wtstart -s",
"startingDirectory" : "//wsl$/kali-linux/home/<kali user>"
},
Help
For more information, ask for help via:
kex --help
or consult the manpage via:
man kex
or join us in the Kali Forums
Enjoy Win-KeX!
Updated on: 2023-Jan-12
Author:
Re4son