Kali Linux — All Commands

Personal reference for Kali commands, installs & WSL setup.

🔭 My Website ✅ linux-basics-course ▶️ YouTube Channel

📋 Quick Index
1. Repository 2. No Sound 3. Fix Broken 4. WiFi 5. Bluetooth 6. Install SW 7. Snap 8. Uninstall 9. Force Stop 10. Software Table 11. Delete File 12. Wine 13. WSL 2: ↳ Setup ↳ Password Reset ↳ Desktop ENV

#1 Add Kali Repository

Just copy & paste into your Terminal — Done ✔️

echo "deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list

Official Website →

#2 No Sound on Kali

sudo apt purge --autoremove pipewire-pulse

Official Website →

#3 Fix Broken Installation

apt --fix-broken install

#4 WiFi Connected but Not Working

sudo systemctl status systemd-resolved.service
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved.service
sudo systemctl status systemd-resolved.service

#5 Turn ON Bluetooth

service bluetooth restart

#6 Install Software in KALI Linux

sudo dpkg -i *.deb                 # normal .deb file
./configure  ---  make install     # compile from source

How to install →

#7 Snap Install

sudo su
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
systemctl enable --now snapd apparmor

Snap installed but not working?

systemctl enable --now snapd.apparmor

Snap Store guide →

#8 Uninstall Software

dpkg --list
sudo apt remove gimp
sudo apt --purge remove gimp
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt purge --auto-remove gimp
sudo apt clean

#9 Force STOP any Running Program

pidof [appname]
kill -9 [PID]

#10 All Important Software in KALI

All Kali Tools →

Name	Work	apt install	snap install	flatpak install
Prerequisites: Add Kali Repo \| Install Snap \| Setup Flathub
Office 365	Microsoft Office		sudo snap install office365webdesktop --beta
WhatsApp	Messaging		sudo snap install whatsapp-for-linux	flatpak install flathub com.github.eneshecan.WhatsAppForLinux
Telegram	Messaging		sudo snap install telegram-desktop	flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop
Viber	Messaging	Download .deb	sudo snap install viber-unofficial	flatpak install flathub com.viber.Viber
Google Messages	Messaging	Web App
KDE Connect	File Transfer	sudo apt install kdeconnect
FreeCAD	Engineering Drawing	sudo apt install freecad	sudo snap install freecad	flatpak install flathub org.freecadweb.FreeCAD
Shotcut	Video Editor	sudo apt install shotcut	sudo snap install shotcut --classic	flatpak install flathub org.shotcut.Shotcut
GIMP	Photo Editor	sudo apt install gimp	sudo snap install gimp	flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
SimpleScreenRecorder	Screen Recorder	sudo apt install simplescreenrecorder
Audacity	Audio Editor	sudo apt install audacity	sudo snap install audacity
HandBrake	Video Compressor	sudo apt install handbrake	sudo snap install handbrake-jz	flatpak install flathub fr.handbrake.ghb
Code::Blocks	Coding IDE	sudo apt install codeblocks
Blender	3D / Graphic Design	sudo apt install blender	sudo snap install blender --classic	flatpak install flathub org.blender.Blender
kTouch	Typing Practice	sudo apt install ktouch
VirtualBox	Virtualization	sudo apt install virtualbox
Terminator	Terminal Emulator	sudo apt install terminator
MS Edge	Browser	Download .deb
Audacious	MP3 Player	sudo apt install audacious

#11 Delete File

rm [file path]    # empty file / file
rm -r [dir]       # directory

#12 Install Wine (Windows emulator for Linux)

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine wine64 wine32 winbind winetricks
wine yourapp.exe

#13 WSL 2 — Kali in Windows

▶️ Video Playlist

13.1 Setup (PowerShell as Admin)

wsl --install
wsl --update
wsl --status
wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d kali-linux

Navigate Windows files from Kali

ls /mnt          # c  d  e  wsl  wslg
cd /mnt/c/Users/akash/Desktop

WSL more details | File Permissions (quick) | Permissions deep dive ↗

Check Kali Version

cat /etc/os-release
# PRETTY_NAME="Kali GNU/Linux Rolling"
# VERSION_ID="2024.3"

13.2 Reset WSL Password 🔑

Forgot your WSL user password? Use Windows CMD to reset it via root.

# Step 1 — Open Windows CMD (not PowerShell) and set distro to login as root
ubuntu2204 config --default-user root
# (replace ubuntu2204 with your distro name, e.g. kali-linux)

# Step 2 — A root WSL shell opens automatically. Reset the password:
passwd <your-username>
# e.g.: passwd ak2001
# Enter new password when prompted

# Step 3 — Set your user back as default
ubuntu2204 config --default-user <your-username>

13.3 Install Desktop Environment

mini — kex server Not Recommended

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install kali-win-kex
kex --win -s
kex --esm --ip -s   # for Windows Remote Desktop

Shut Down

exit
wsl --shutdown

Uninstall kex

sudo apt purge kali-win-kex xfce4 xfce4-goodies lightdm light-locker
sudo apt autoremove --purge && sudo apt clean

Full Desktop — GNOME Recommended

sudo apt update
sudo apt install kali-desktop-gnome gdm3
sudo update-alternatives --config x-session-manager
wsl --shutdown && wsl

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