Kali Linux 2021.1 Released – Download DVD ISO Images

Kali Linux (formerly known as BackTrack Linux) announced the release of Kali Linux Version 2021.1 on February 24th, 2021. Kali Linux is a Debian-based distribution specially focused on penetration testing and digital forensics use.

From Project Page

Kali Linux is the new generation of the industry-leading BackTrack Linux penetration testing and security auditing Linux distribution. Kali Linux is a complete re-build of BackTrack from the ground up, adhering completely to Debian development standards.

The latest version of Kali Linux ships with both feature and cosmetic changes as we shall see later on in this guide. In summary, here are some of the improvements included in Kali 2021.1.

A Whole New Desktop and Login Screen Make-over

The new Kali Linux 2021.2 comes with a spruced-up desktop with light and dark themes. You can switch between the themes by going to ‘Settings’ and selecting your preferred theme.

Switch Kali Linux Themes
Switch Kali Linux Themes

Here’s a glimpse of the dark theme.

Kali Linux Dark Theme
Kali Linux Dark Theme

And here’s a taste of the light theme.

Kali Linux Light Theme
Kali Linux Light Theme

The login screen has also been tweaked and has received an enhanced layout with the login box centered to provide a more organized and cool appearance.

Kali Linux Login Screen
Kali Linux Login Screen

The GNOME desktop environment has also been updated to its latest version. The KDE Plasma and XFCE environments have also received a polished look.

Terminals Tweaks

While using Kali, we spend most of the time using the local command line terminal (rather than in a console or remote SSH). With the variety of desktop environments, you will get options to use different terminals such as xfce4-terminal, tmux, tilix, konsole, qterminal, and mate-terminal.

Kali Linux Terminals
Kali Linux Terminals

PowerShell Integration in Kali Linux

Powershell has been moved from Kali Linux’s network repository to one of the primary metapackages known as kali-linux-large. This implies you can choose to install Powershell either during installation – since it’s now included in the kali-Linux-large metapackages – or once Kali is finally installed. This can be done on the terminal using the command shown

$ sudo apt install -y kali-linux-large

To invoke Powershell on the terminal, simply run the command.

$ pwsh

New Tools in Kali

Some of the new tools in Kali 2021.1 include:

  • Airgeddon – A bash script to audit wireless networks.
  • Arjun – HTTP parameter discovery suite.
  • Chisel – A fast TCP/UDP tunnel over HTTP.
  • DNSGen – Creates a combination of domain names from the given input.
  • DumpsterDiver – Find secrets in various file types.
  • GitLeaks – Searches Git repo’s history for secrets and keys.
  • HTTProbe – Pull a list of domains and study for working HTTP and HTTPS servers.
  • MassDNS – A DNS stub resolver for mass lookups and reconnaissance.
  • PSKracker – WPA/WPS toolkit for creating default keys/pins.
  • WordlistRaider – Preparing existing wordlist.

Software Installer Changes

The new Kali 2021.1 gets rid of the ‘kali-linux-everything’ option from the installer. This resolves the issue that was present in the earlier version (Kali 2021.1) where users had to select “everything” which took much longer to retrieve very large meta-packages.

Now, every desktop environment and Kali-Linux-large meta-packages are cached in the ISO image and users get to select what they need to install.

Kali Linux Installer
Kali Linux Installer

Direct Download Kali Linux DVD ISO Images

To get the latest version of Kali Linux, simply head out to Kali’s download page and select your preferred ISO image corresponding to your system’s architecture.

Direct Download of Kali Linux for 64-Bit and 32-Bit ISO Images can be downloaded from the following links.

Image Name Direct Torrent Size
Kali Linux 64-Bit (Installer) kali-linux-2021.1-installer-amd64.iso kali-linux-2021.1-installer-amd64.iso.torrent 4.0G
Kali Linux 64-Bit (Live) kali-linux-2021.1-live-amd64.iso kali-linux-2021.1-live-amd64.iso.torrent 3.4G
Kali Linux 64-Bit (NetInstaller) kali-linux-2021.1-installer-netinst-amd64.iso kali-linux-2021.1-installer-netinst-amd64.iso.torrent 379M
Kali Linux 32-Bit (Installer) kali-linux-2021.1-installer-i386.iso kali-linux-2021.1-installer-i386.iso.torrent 3.5G
Kali Linux 32-Bit (Live) kali-linux-2021.1-live-i386.iso kali-linux-2021.1-live-i386.iso.torrent 3.0G
Kali Linux 32-Bit (NetInstaller) kali-linux-2021.1-installer-netinst-i386.iso kali-linux-2021.1-installer-netinst-i386.iso.torrent 336M

Additionally, you can download images for ARM devices such as Raspberry Pi and PineBook from this link.

Upgrading Kali Linux to Latest Version

Since Kali is a rolling release, you can upgrade your system by running the commands below to get the latest updates.

$ sudo apt -y update 
$ sudo apt -y full-upgrade

If you are looking for a fresh installation, read our guide: Kali Linux 2021.1 – Fresh Installation Guide.

That a brief round-up of what to look forward to in the latest Kali Linux 2021.1.

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Ravi Saive
I am an experienced GNU/Linux expert and a full-stack software developer with over a decade in the field of Linux and Open Source technologies

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35 Comments

Leave a Reply
  1. i have installed the kali linux version 1.0.9a but when i type “ping yahoo.com” it takes about much time about 2 days i don’t know, because i want update it i typed this commands “apt-get update” then it shows this massage done then this “apt-get upgrade” no file is transferred.

    please guide me

    Reply
    • @benjamin,

      The ping to yahoo.com, seems blocking without any message, and about apt update or apt upgrade, i think there is no updates to software packages, that’s why you received no file transfer message.

      Reply
  2. hello good day to you please i need your help. i download (Kali Linux ARMHF Image 1.0.9a Image Torrent) on this site but i couldnt run it on my pc.. where can i get the direct link to download backtrack

    Reply
  3. Hi All,

    Maybe this was already answered and I just don’t see it, but in the chain of messages above, Fahad Jahandad asked the following question on March 27, 2013 at 4:45 pm:
    “Thanks for great information and i want to ask you a question but it is ugly, that what is the difference between GNOME and MINI ISO.”
    I would like to know the difference as well, I spent 3 hrs installing the 64 bit mini only to discover that it only contains ‘nmap’ under the ‘Top 10 Security Tools’. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the 64 bit mini and the regular 64 bit ISO? Also, why does the mini seem to only contain 4 security tools none being metasploit or wireshark or any of the better security tools?

    Thanks in advance,
    L

    Reply
  4. Sir is it possible to install to operating system in one PC. i mean i want to install kali linux and also win8. is it possible. if yes what is the procedure. And can be work properly. thanx.

    Reply
    • Yes, you can install as many as OS’s on the same machine, unless you have enough RAM and Space. The procedure is simple, first install win8 on a first drive say (C Partition) and install other OS in different drive say (D or E parition).

      Reply
  5. Bro.. i like to install kali linux in my HTC Explorer mobile…
    i dont know which iso image i have to download?
    I need your help….

    Reply
  6. Hi everybody!
    I’m a Computer Science student and I want to install kali linux because of academic reasons for an assignment in the course “Network Security”.I want to install it in virtual box.I want someone tell me (if it’s possible) exactly which kali linux should I download(please send me the link directly).Thank you very much(I tried to install it many times for 64processor but it doesn’t work )

    Reply
  7. the link to the downloads are giving me this error….

    “The requested URL /kali-images/kali-1.0.5/kali-linux-1.0.5-i386.iso was not found on this server.
    Apache/2.2.16 (Debian) Server at cdimage.kali.org Port 80”
    what is the problem.

    Reply
  8. Hi Ravi,

    I want to learn Kali linux so, could you please help me in this regards i will pay your fees or if you know any 1 who can teach me then please refer me or contact with me on my mobile #. 00971556335593.

    I am waiting of this.
    Azhar

    Reply
  9. when i download gnome 32bit iso image i get a file with only 2kb; what`s wrong or what´s to do with it?
    what`s the difference between the mini iso image and the gnome image?
    dococ

    Reply
  10. Hey i am not able to download neither from here nor from their official download page. It sticks in between and only part is available. Tried from different networks as well .
    Please provide a proper download link.

    Thanks,
    Vishal

    Reply
  11. Kali Linux is the new generation of the industry-leading BackTrack Linux penetration testing and security auditing Linux distribution. Kali Linux is a complete re-build of BackTrack from the ground up, adhering completely to Debian development standards.

    Direct Download of Kali Linux for 32 Bit and 64 Bit Mini ISO Images (400MB) and GNOME ISO Images (2GB) can be downloaded from the following links.

    Reply
  12. Thanks for great information and i want to ask you a question but it is ugly, that what is the difference between GNOME and MINI ISO.
    Thanks

    Reply

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