⚠️ Kali Linux is a penetration testing distribution. Only use it on systems you own or have explicit permission to test.
If you want to install Kali Linux as your main operating system (dual boot or replacing Windows/Linux), choose this.
To ensure the integrity of the downloaded ISO file, verify its checksum using a tool like MD5 or SHA-1. You can find the checksum values on the Kali Linux website. kali linux download iso
Make sure to verify the after downloading to ensure the file hasn't been tampered with. You can find checksums on the same page.
Here is everything you need to know about downloading the Kali Linux ISO safely and correctly. ⚠️ Kali Linux is a penetration testing distribution
If you want to run Kali from a USB stick without installing it on your hard drive, choose the "Live" version.
Once you've downloaded and verified the ISO file, you can create a bootable USB drive or DVD and install Kali Linux on your machine. You can use tools like Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Windows, macOS, or Linux) to create a bootable USB drive. To ensure the integrity of the downloaded ISO
If you plan to run Kali inside VMware or VirtualBox, you do not actually need the ISO. You should download the (usually formatted as .7z files). These are ready to run immediately without installation.
The official Kali Linux Get-Kali page offers several image types tailored to different hardware and use cases: How to Download and Install Kali Linux | Step-by-step guide