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Win KeX

This document details how to install and run Win-KeX, which provides a Kali Linux desktop experience within Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). It first requires installing Kali Linux via WSL2 and then installing the Win-KeX package. Win-KeX can then be run in window, seamless, or enhanced session modes, with options for sound support, shared clipboard, and starting sessions from Windows Terminal. Additional steps include installing more Kali packages and creating Windows Terminal shortcuts for different Win-KeX configurations.

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IVAN ANTONIO GARCIA FRANCO
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89 views12 pages

Win KeX

This document details how to install and run Win-KeX, which provides a Kali Linux desktop experience within Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). It first requires installing Kali Linux via WSL2 and then installing the Win-KeX package. Win-KeX can then be run in window, seamless, or enhanced session modes, with options for sound support, shared clipboard, and starting sessions from Windows Terminal. Additional steps include installing more Kali packages and creating Windows Terminal shortcuts for different Win-KeX configurations.

Uploaded by

IVAN ANTONIO GARCIA FRANCO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Win-KeX

Table of Contents

Content:

• Overview

• Installation

o Prerequisites

o Install Kali Linux in WSL2

o Install Win-Kex

• Run Win-KeX

• Optional steps

Overview

Win-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

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:

kali@kali:~$ sudo apt update

kali@kali:~$

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

Run Win-KeX

Win-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

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