This is to install a Kali Linux ISO on a USB key in a Windows environment. An alternative to Win32 Disk Imager software.
Tested with Kali Linux 1.0.4, 1.0.5, 1.0.7, 1.1.0, 2.0 - 64 and 32-Bit ISOs.
It works great for me. Report any bugs here.
Updated 6 October 2015 with Lili v2.9.4 / Kali 2.0
- must have a FAT32 formated USB key. 8Gb is good for this installation. Note that with Kali Linux2, USB2 might be so slow that it is unworkable. Therefore a USB3 key is recommended.
- a Kali ISO on the computer.
- the USB key can be pre-partitioned* or not. It does not affect the installation.
*with a 4Gb FAT32 partition and the rest of the free space with a primary Ext4 partition labeled, persistence.
Download LinuxLive USB Creator 2.9.4 or the latest build.
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/
Download > Download LiLi
- Install LinuxLive USB Creator on the computer.
- Plug in your USB key.
- Start LiLi and choose the following settings to install Kali linux on USB key:
- CHOOSE KEY: Select your USB key.
- CHOOSE SOURCE: Choose kali linux ISO file.
- PERSISTENCE: - not applicable -.
- OPTIONS: Choose options.
Must have Internet if checking the "Enable launching LinuxLive in Windows" option, as it will download VirtualBox Portable -or- leave uncheck and follow instructions below under Virtual Box it is the same. - CREATE.
The process takes about 12-25 minutes. You now have a Kali bootable USB key!
Persistence
(it is the same procedure as in the official documentation)
Adding persistence (the ability to save files and changes across live boots) to your Kali Linux USB installation.
What you cannot do on a persistent system:
- updates core files (kernel, etc...) = no full system updates.
- install drivers.
What you can do on this kind of system :
- install some software.
- do some software updates.
- create some files/folders.
- install Kali Linux from your USB key on your PC's hard drive.
Create an additional partition on the USB key. Use a partitioning software of your choosing.
- Select your USB key.
- Move/Resize partition, and create a 4Gb empty space (or the size you see fit).
- With that newly created empty space create a new primary Ext4 partition, labeled, persistence.
- Apply all changes.
With the USB key plugged in, reboot the computer and start Kali on the USB.
- Your computer must enable boot from USB (see settings in your BIOS).
- When the Kali Linux boot screen is displayed, select the first "Live boot" from the menu. [Enter].
Once Kali booted on the desktop, open the terminal and enter the following commands one by one, either by typing or you can Copy/Paste these commands into the terminal.
Code:
mount /dev/sdb2 /mnt/usb
Code:
echo "/ union" >> /mnt/usb/persistence.conf
Reboot the computer.
Start Kali with the persistence option
You now have the choice to start Kali Live USB with the persistence option or not, when booting.
- When the Kali Linux boot screen is displayed, select one of the "persistence" options from the menu.
Virtual Box
Making your Kali installation usable within Windows with VirtualBox.
Note that many Kali Linux related functions will not work within a virtual machine environment.
On the LinuxLive USB Creator site http://www.linuxliveusb.com/ download VirtualBox Portable. Download tab > Other versions : VirtualBox Portable.
Once downloaded, Unzip (decompress) VirtualBox portable.zip on your USB key. You now have a VirtualBox folder in your USB key.
- Start VirtualBox.exe for the settings. Edit CPU, RAM, Network utilization.
- Virtualize_This_Key.exe to start Kali Linux in the virtual machine.
and that's it!
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/en/release-notes
Version 2.9.4 (September 10th, 2015) :
Portable-VirtualBox pack has been updated to the latest version of VirtualBox 5.0.4. I fixed the issue with Virtualize_This_Key.exe that was not working anymore. I also updated the outdated icons on the EXE files.
New Linux distributions supported
Linux Mint 17.2 "Rafaela" MATE/Cinnamon/KDE/Xfce DVD
elementary OS 0.3.1
Fedora 22 Gnome/KDE/Xfce/LXDE/MATE
CentOS 6.7 (CD/DVD)
Kali Linux 2.0
BackBox 4.3
Tails 1.5.1
Android x86 4.4 R3
Linux Lite 2.6
New major features
Windows 10 official support
EFI boot
Originally Posted by
IVIUPPET
I have resolved this issue, I was not aware that it was set to EFI only so I set it to both and it worked. USB 3.0 too...