Win-KeX

Content:

Overview
Installation
- Prerequisites
- Install Kali Linux in WSL2
- Install Win-Kex
Run Win-KeX
Optional steps

OverviewWin-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:

:~$ sudo apt update
:~$
:~$ sudo apt install -y kali-win-kex

Run Win-KeXWin-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>"
},