A new version of Kali Linux has been released on 9th August 2022 with new attractive tools and bug fixes. The major release of Kali Linux version 2022 and the minor is Kali Linux 2022.3.
It is available for immediate download.
Added new features in Kali Linux 2022.3:
The highlights for Kali’s 2022.3’s the release:
- Discord Server – Kali’s new community real-time chat option has launched!
- Test Lab Environment – Quickly create a test bed to learn, practice, and benchmark tools and compare their results
- Opening Kali-Tools Repo – We have opened up the Kali tools repository & are accepting your submissions!
- Help Wanted – We are looking for a Go developer to help us on an open-source project
- Kali NetHunter Updates – New releases in our NetHunter store
- Virtual Machines Updates – New VirtualBox image format, weekly images, and build-scripts to build your own
- New Tools In Kali – Would not be a release without some new tools!
Non-Root Kali Linux:
This is the first release of the year 2020 with non-root kali Linux so, if you are using kali Linux live then the username and password root/toor will not work.
If you are using kali Linux first time the user username and password kali/kali
Username: kali
Password: kali

If you have an old version then you can update kali Linux by using the following command. If you will face any errors then read the complete article.
root@kali:~# apt update && apt -y full-upgrade
Latest Operating System always gives better performance, Security, and results. No matter it is Linux, Windows, or MAC.
Always Update Kali Linux before using it. If you want to good hacker or penetration tester then make a rule in your life. Update each and every tool before using it.
Lots of vulnerabilities and patches are released every day, so you need to update Kali Linux regularly.
I have created a video to cover update and upgrade of kali Linux in Hindi Language. If you are good to understand Hindi then this video sure will be helpful for you
Today I am going to discuss how to update Kali Linux in simple steps. Updated Kali Linux and its tools are working properly and give a better result. Update Kali Linux every time before using it. The updation of Kali Linux will give you modern, latest, and better working toolsets. You can update Kali Linux by following the simple steps given below:
Add repository in Kali Linux
Check Kali Linux version
How to Update Kali Linux
How to Upgrade Kali Linux
How to Dist-upgrade Kali Linux
Conclusion
Add Repository in Kali Linux
A repository is a place where all the updated tools and utilities are stored. There are multiple Kali Linux repositories available worldwide. the tools available on repositories are tested and maintained by the offensive security team.
It means, that downloading or installing tools from the repository is secure and pretested. I suggest you always install tools from the repositories.
You must make the repositories server entry inside the file /etc/apt/sources.list
First, open the file by using any text editor, I am using leafpad text editor. It is preinstalled in Kali Linux.
Step 1: Run the following command to open repository source list file
$gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Step 2: Add the following line.
deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib
Step 3: Save the file and exit.
For more details Visit How to Add Kali Linux repository
Check the Kali Linux version
If you are going to update the Kali Linux in the latest version. Your first step, check the installed Kali Linux version.
If you don’t know how to check the kali Linux version, don’t worry, and follow the given steps to check it
the following command is useful to check the Kali Linux version.
#lsb_release -a
vijay@kali:~$lsb_release -a No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Kali Description: Kali GNU/Linux Rolling Release: 2020.2 Codename: n/a vijay@kali:~$
In some cases, if lsb_release -a command is not working, So it is not a big issue, because there are other methods and commands to check the Kali Linux version
Here its
cat /etc/os-release
root@kali:~#cat /etc/os-release PRETTY_NAME="Kali GNU/Linux Rolling" NAME="Kali GNU/Linux" ID=kali VERSION="2020.2" VERSION_ID="2020.2" VERSION_CODENAME="kali-rolling" ID_LIKE=debian ANSI_COLOR="1;31" HOME_URL="https://www.kali.org/" SUPPORT_URL="https://forums.kali.org/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.kali.org/" root@kali:~
I have an older version of Kali Linux 2022.1, running on my system and the newer version has been released. And I am always eager to learn new things and get new experiences. So I am going to update and upgrade Kali Linux to 2022.2
How to Update Kali Linux
Hey, my dear friend, Do you want to know how to update Kali Linux in the new version 2022.2 Newer version of Kali Linux has been released It is Kali Linux 2022.2. The newer version fixes bugs and the latest kernel, and latest tools, and sometimes adds new tools. In the update, the advanced package tool (APT) fetched headers data of available tools on the repository and saved it into a local drive.
You can use the following command to update the Kali Linux.
# apt-get update
or
$ sudo apt-get update (This command is only for sudo user)
vijay@kali:~$sudo apt-get update [sudo] password for vijay: Get:1 http://ftp.harukasan.org/kali kali-rolling InRelease [30.5 kB] Get:2 http://ftp.harukasan.org/kali kali-rolling/main amd64 Packages [16.5 MB] Get:3 http://ftp.harukasan.org/kali kali-rolling/non-free amd64 Packages [199 kB] Get:4 http://ftp.harukasan.org/kali kali-rolling/contrib amd64 Packages [99.8 kB] Fetched 16.9 MB in 1min 36s (176 kB/s) Reading package lists... Done vijay@kali:~$
What does update mean in Kali Linux?
When you run the update command it will fetch the information of available tools and their version from the repository and store it in the local computer.
Have a close look at the above result after running the update Kali Linux command. This command fetched only 17.4 MB of data from the repository.
#apt-get update command does not update a single tool.
If you want to install a newer version to tools / OS/ Other utility then you will have to run the upgrade and dist-upgrade command.
How to Upgrade Kali Linux
The upgrade is a process of removing the older version of tools from Kali Linux and installing a newer version.
If the installed tool has a similar version to the available tool on the repository, then it will not be upgraded.
run the following command to upgrade Kali Linux
#apt-get upgrade
When I run the above command then I found the result. I am going the share some lines with you.
These are the last 4 lines before starting up-gradation. 1015 tools will be upgraded and 179 will not be upgraded. 179 tools will remain the same.
1780 MB size of files will be downloaded, and 419 MB of additional disk space will be used.
If everything looks good press y and hit enter the up-gradation process will be completed.
1015 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 179 not upgraded. Need to get 1,780 MB of archives. After this operation, 419 MB of additional disk space will be used. Do you want to continue? [Y/n]
How to Dist-upgrade Kali Linux
apt-get command followed by upgrade will only upgrade installed tools. This command will not touch the core system and its utility.
If you want to upgrade the core operating system as well as tools at the same time then you will have to run the following command.
#apt-get dist-upgrade
1194 upgraded, 73 newly installed, 1 to remove and 0 not upgraded. Need to get 2,238 MB of archives. After this operation, 1,042 MB of additional disk space will be used. Do you want to continue? [Y/n]
You can see the big difference in the result of running upgrade and dist-upgrade command

Conclusion
You have seen all the points of running Kali Linux update, upgrade and dist-upgrade. If you install the Kali Linux first time then I suggest you run apt-get command followed by dist-upgrade.
After that, you can run the apt-get command with an update and upgrade switch.
Tech Tip : Now you can also access your windows apps and data on your Linux environment in a hassle-free way with Cloud Citrix VDI from CloudDesktopOnline. Learn more about Hosted SharePoint, Office 365 Enterprise E5 plan and QuickBooks Hosting by visiting Apps4Rent.Do you like this post? if you have any query relate to Update and upgrade Kali Linux please comment below. if you have any questions, let me know in the comment box.
Cheers!
MODULE 3:- Basics of Kali Linux
- Install Kali Linux on Hard drive with Full disk Encryption
- How to create Kali Linux bootable USB live in windows 10
- 20 basics about how to use Kali Linux
- 6 steps to change Kali Linux IP address (Easy)
- How to Add Kali Linux repository – With pictures
- How to update and upgrade Kali Linux to 2017.1
- apt-get package handling utility in Kali Linux
- How to use Linux debian package manager “dpkg”
- How to use Kali Linux SSH Server and client
- Start Restart Apache2 Web Server In Kali Linux
42 thoughts on “Revamp Your Cybersecurity Arsenal: A Step-by-Step Guide on Updating Kali Linux”
i have installed and updated/upgraded kali 2016.2 64 bit on 16 gig usb drive with persistance.
now i want to install this to my pc.
does the fully updated version will be installed on PC or should i have to update/upgrade again ?
you will have to update/upgrade again. By the way Kali Linux is now rolling release, so you must update/upgrade in week.
How did you do an upgrade or dist-upgrade on kali USB?
the normal command doesn’t work. it breaks the system
apt-get dist-upgrade
breaks my usb.
Hi,
You can only dist-upgrade in USB, if you have persistance kali linux live usb.
check here https://docs.kali.org/downloading/kali-linux-live-usb-persistence
When I tried to upgrade my OS I got this error message:
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock – open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
can you please help me with this?
Hi,
try it
mv /var/lib/dpkg/lock
Then update
pls what exectly does that do
Don’t I need the destination? This is I got after applying mv /var/lib/dpkg/lock
mv: missing destination file operand after ‘mv /var/lib/dpkg/lock’
Can I use my kali on sdcard memory just incase I don’t have space on my phone internal memory
Yes you can
Linux kali 3.12-kali1-686-pae #1 SMP Debian 3.12.6-2kali1 (2014-01-06) i686 GNU/Linux
Is it possible to update to 2017.1 distro
yes
When I tried to run this update command “apt-get update”
It just shows”reading package lists…. Done ” and nothing else .every time same thing nothing gets updated same with upgrade
0 installed 0 ugraded
Hi Harshit,
You are running right command, There are two possibilities with your error
1. No Internet connection (Please check it)
2. Official repository didn’t added please check it https://www.cyberpratibha.com//blog/2017/01/adding-repository-in-kali-linux/
Thanks
Problem on updating
When I type apt-get install 4.12.0-kalo1-amd64 -y it’s says unable to locate package please help me
My repository
deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free
deb-src http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free
Hi nihal,
You have typed wrong package name kalo should be kali and more package info https://pkg.kali.org/pkg/linux
If you want to upgrade Kali OS then use #apt-get dist-upgrade
Thanks
Hello Sir ,
Will you completely guide me in learning kali linux because i got this things after months of searching on internet i learned-installing,using in vmware,virtual box,usb persistence and updating the os and the tools now the next for me is learning the the codes and commands and using the tools , I know for you it may not be even a single step but for me doing this is a achievement .
Hope you guide me to become who i want to an Ethican Hacker and penetration tester.
Thankyou —–you can connect me through gmail my id is——[email protected]
Hi Amogh,
You have posted comment about learning Ethical hacking and kali Linux, So I am suggesting you to buy my course in Hindi Language relating kali Linux and hacking.
https://www.unanth.com/learn-hackers-strategy-ethical-hacking
Thanks & Regards,
Vijay Kumar
okay so i have an issue, when i try to update and it asks me press y or n to continue so I put y then it says y is not found, so I type in the word yes and the terminal spam’s thousands of y’s into the terminal. I think kali is broken, I cant even use the app store or create a user. What can I do to fix this?
yes kali is broken, Ask question in kali linux official forum https://forums.kali.org/
Thanks
Hello I’m running kali linux on virtual box and when I type #apt-get update and #apt-get upgrade It won’t install do you know why this happens?
Update repository
Hi Vijay, i like to say thanks for an excellent article .. Awesome stuff.
I have a relative simple query if you couldnt help answer this.
In the terminal after runnning this command: uname -r
the result is 4.12.0-kali1-amd64.
if i run an update it would go to 4.13.0-kali1.amd64
i would like to try and update it to 4.12.0-kali2-amd64 rather than 4.13.0-kali1-amd64.
I would really appreciate any kind of help.
Thank you once again.
X
Hi Xaos Payne,
I am glad you have asked this question. I have written separate post on it. You can read here https://www.cyberpratibha.com/blog/2017/11/how-to-skip-kernel-update-in-kali-linux/
hey ,sir is there any way to use kali in live made with permanent storage
Yes you can install kali linux live in Persistence mode
Please see article here https://docs.kali.org/downloading/kali-linux-live-usb-persistence
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
Calculating upgrade… Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
No luck
Plz help me …
You have luck!
Update repository first
https://www.cyberpratibha.com/blog/2017/01/adding-repository-in-kali-linux/
unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/) are you root
plz my brother
Yes I am #root
I have described about this problem in my another post
Check here : https://www.cyberpratibha.com/blog/2017/11/how-to-skip-kernel-update-in-kali-linux/
The default login isn’t root with toor anymore? After the upgrade i can’t login…. help.
IF you will upgrade the kali linux, your username and password will not change into default root and toor. So use your previous username and password. If you forgot password dont worry go through this post https://www.cyberpratibha.com/blog/2017/02/how-to-protect-grub-bootloader-in-ubuntu-14-04-tls/
i am getting the error called “there are problems and -y was used without –force yes”. how do i fix this and what does this even mean?
hey, I upgrade my kali linux system into 2018.4 from 2018.3
, but i want back my 2018.3 . so, how can i do this….
please help!
Thank you!
Hi Amit,
Please search on google how to downgrade any Linux kernel
Follow the steps
Hola buen dia Vijay Kumar a un estas disponible en Kali??
Sorry, I didn’t get you. Please speak english
Hi. Just apt-get dist-upgrade now Friday 19 April 2019. Would I be able to get Black Arch tools on this Kali Linux, or should I overwrite Black Arch? Thank You,
Hi Dubber Ruckie,
Apt-get dist-upgrade will upgrade kali linux base system and latest tools. if you want other tools exist in Black Arch, You will have to install on kali Linux manually. If you are good in linux then go through black arch, Using Black Arch is not too difficult.
Have you any doubt? Ask feel free!
Cheers!
Cheers
Sir, I want to install pip on kali-rolling version 2019.4 using these commands:
apt install python3-pip
or
apt install python-pip
or
apt install pip
or
apt install pip3
It says unable to locate package python-pip.
This article will be helpful
https://www.cyberpratibha.com/how-to-install-python-on-ubuntu-step-by-step-guide/