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>"
},

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!