How to update Kali Linux

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The following guide will provide the readers with information on how to update/upgrade the Kali Linux system.

In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to configure Kali Linux repositories
  • How to update Kali Linux
  • How to upgrade kept back packages
  • How to uninstall no longer required packages

How to update Kali Linux

How to update Kali Linux

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions
Category Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System Kali Linux – rolling release
Software N/A
Other Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

How to update Kali Linux step by step Instructions

  1. Configure Kali Linux Repositories

    2. The first step is to set correct Kali Linux repositories. Make sure that your /etc/apt/sources.list file contains the following official Kali repositories:

    deb https://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib
deb-sources https://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main non-free contrib
    WARNING
    Use only official Kali Linux repositories. Any other listed 3rd-party and unofficial repositories within the /etc/apt/sources.list file may break or compromise your Kali Linux system.
  2. Update Kali Linux

    3. To begin the update of your Kali Linux system first update the packages index list. Open up terminal and enter:

    $ sudo apt update

    Next, optionally, display all packages which are scheduled for update:

    $ apt list --upgradable

    At this stage we have an option to upgrade individual packages using apt install PACKAGE-NAME or upgrade all packages at once:

    $ sudo apt upgrade

    All done. Your Kali Linux system is now fully upgraded.

  3. Upgrade Kept Back Packages

    4. Due to package dependency changes some of the Kali Linux packages might be kept back.

    If this is this case you will be notified by the apt upgrade Linux command at the end of the Kali Linux upgrade process. You may upgrade each kept back package individually using the apt install PACKAGE-NAME command or update all kept back packages at once:

    $ sudo apt dist-upgrade
  4. Uninstall No Longer Required Packages

    5. During your initial system upgrade some of the packages may become obsolete, hence are no longer required. To remove all no longer required Kali Linux packages execute:

    $ sudo apt autoremove

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