How to Dual Boot Kali Linux with Windows 10

Kali Linux is a robust operating system used by security professionals and developers to perform tasks like network troubleshooting, penetration testing, and ethical hacking. Kali Linux operating system is versatile and can be run on multiple devices, such as Windows PC, Chromebook, Android mobile, or Mac. You can use Kali Linux as a standalone operating system or dual-booting alongside other operating systems. The advantage of having a dual boot Kali Linux is that you can switch to an operating system at any time according to your choice.

If you are using Windows 10 on your computer and need a guide on how to dual-boot Kali Linux with Windows 10, read this guide. Here, you will find:

• How to Dual Boot Kali Linux with Windows 10
• How to Fix GRUB Menu not Appear in The Boot Menu
• Conclusion

How to Dual Boot Kali Linux with Windows 10

To dual-boot Kali Linux with Windows 10, use the following steps:

Step 1: Turn on Fast Startup on Windows 10

First, you may have to turn on fast startup on Windows 10, it can be done by first running the Power & sleep settings from the menu:

Then navigate to the Advanced power settings option:

Select the Choose what the power button do option:

Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable:

Ensure selecting the Turn on fast startup (recommended) option and choose the Save changes button to apply the changes:

Step 2: Make a Space for Kali Linux on Windows 10

Since we are booting Kali Linux alongside Windows 10, you must ensure you have enough space available to use both operating systems simultaneously. You have to shrink the volume for the disk where Windows 10 is installed so that you can boot Kali Linux from that disk. To do that, first open Disk Management from the menu:

Then right-click on the Windows 10 installation drive, which is the C drive in my case, once done, select the Shrink Volume option:

Choose the amount of space to shrink. Once selected, choose the Shrink button to shrink the volume on Windows 10:

Here, as an example, I have created 21 GB of disk space for the Kali Linux system on Windows 10. You should provide at least 30-40 GB of disk space if you want to continue working with Kali Linux and Windows 10 simultaneously for a longer run.

Step 3: Download Kali Linux Image

To boot Kali Linux on Windows 10, you will require an ISO image file of the Kali Linux operating system. It is up to you whether to download a simple Kali Linux ISO file or Kali Linux Live from here. Here, I am going with installing Kali Linux simple ISO file:

Step 4: Download and Install Rufus on Windows 10

You should also require downloading a Windows application called Rufus, which will be used in this process. Rufus is a desktop application designed for Windows systems that is used to creating a bootable USB. This tool will help you in making a Kali Linux bootable USB for running the operating system alongside Windows 10.

Step 5: Make a Bootable Kali Linux USB with Rufus

After downloading the Rufus application on Windows, you can open the application from the Start Menu:

Then load the Kali Linux ISO file you downloaded on your system by using the SELECT button:

Choose the partition scheme, target system and file system as a default one and click the Start button:

Note: Ensure going with the default options for Rufus, since they will work on most operating systems.

Go with Write in DD Image mode to avoid encountering error during the installation process, once done use the OK button to start the process:

Step 6: Boot Kali Linux on Computer

After you are done completing the above-given steps, reboot your computer and ensure your USB drive is plugged into the computer. As soon as your computer starts again, immediately enters the Boot menu using the F12 button from the keyboard. Then use the USB Storage option to load the Kali Linux USB onto your computer.

At the first screen, you will see the Kali Linux menu, simply go with the Graphical Install option to start the installation of Kali Linux on your computer alongside Windows 10:

During the initial phase, you will be provided with the option to configure your network, you can choose eth0 if your computer is connected to the Ethernet cable. If you are using Wi-Fi, go with the wlan0 option:

You will also need to select the Wireless Network you want to connect using the SSID, pass key and network type. Doing this will connect your Kali Linux system to a Wi-Fi network.

Most part of the installation is similar to the one we have performed, earlier, in our guide. There are some options that you have to choose carefully, such as selecting the default partitioning method as “Guided-use the largest continuous free space”. Then selecting your partition that you have created in Step 2, and ensure going with the option Automatically partition the free space. Further, you can pick the All files in one partition option from the menu, and then go with the finish partitioning and write changes to disk option for completing the disk partition:

Note: Approve the changes to the disk file using the Yes option:

Alternatively, you can also choose the:

• Partitioning method as Manual
• Create a new partition
• Set its size
• Type as Logical
• Use as Ext4 journaling file system
• Mount point as /.the root file system
• Done setting up the partition
• Finish partitioning and write changes to disk

When you are done, press the Continue button after selecting the No option when the setup asks from you to return to the partition menu:

Once done, you will be provided again with the similar options like setting hostname, username, user account password, timezone and other system settings, you have to set them on your own. You can navigate to the published blog for further guidance.

After you complete the installation of Kali Linux, you can boot your computer normally with a hard drive and select the operating system you want to run (Kali Linux or Windows 10).

How to Fix GRUB Menu not Appear in The Boot Menu

After installing Kali Linux alongside Windows 10, you may be unable to run Kali Linux from the boot menu. The reason is the system has set the Windows 10 boot manager as a default bootloader since it appears at the topmost priority. If you want to fix the issue and set the GRUB menu as your default bootloader, you can try the following steps on your Windows 10:

Step 1: Install EasyBCD Tool on Windows 10

EasyBCD is a lightweight desktop tool for Windows 10 that helps you customize and enhance the boot process of your computer. On the official website, you can purchase this tool if you want to download it on Windows. However, you can find a free version of this tool on other websites, such as Techspot, and can download and install it on your Windows 10.

Step 2: Run EasyBCD on Windows 10

After installing the EasyBCD on Windows 10, you can launch it from the desktop or Start Menu:

Step 3: Add New Bootloader Entry

Now, you have to add a new bootloader entry on Windows 10, it can be done by going into the Add New Entry menu:

Then navigate to the Linux/BSD tab, and choose:

• Type as GRUB 2
• Name as Kali Linux
• Drive as Kali Linux Partition

Once done, use the + button to add the GRUB bootloader entry to Windows 10:

Go back to View Settings to verify the boot entry:

Step 4: Restart the System and Boot Kali Linux

Now, restart your computer in a normal way, you will be able to see Windows Boot Manager, where you will find two operating systems, Windows 10 and Kali Linux:

To enter the GRUB menu, select the Kali Linux system:

Then select the Kali GNU/Linux option to load the Kali Linux system on your computer.

Wait until the Kali Linux system will boot and once it’s done, you will see the Kali Linux desktop on your computer:

You can switch back to Windows 10 by booting the system normally and selecting Windows from the menu instead of Kali Linux.

Conclusion

Dual booting Kali Linux with Windows 10 is a useful way to install and use both operating systems on your computer. You can dual boot Kali Linux with Windows 10 by first ensuring Fast Startup is enabled on your computer. Then shrink your drive on your computer where Windows 10 is installed by ensuring at least 30-40 GB disk space for Kali Linux. After that, install the Rufus application on Windows 10, download the Kali Linux ISO file and load the Kali Linux operating system onto the USB through Rufus. Once done, use the instructions on the computer screen to complete the Kali Linux installation alongside Windows 10. If you face issues loading the GRUB bootloader, use the step-by-step guidelines to enable the GRUB bootloader on Windows 10 from the EasyBCD application.