How to update Kali Linux

Objective

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

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: - Kali Linux - rolling release

Requirements

Privileged access to your Kali Linux System as root or via sudo command is required.

Difficulty

EASY

Conventions

• # - requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
• $ - given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Instructions

Step 1: Configure Kali Linux Repositories

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

Step 2: Update Kali Linux

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.

Step 3: Upgrade Kept Back Packages

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

Step 4: Uninstall No Longer Required Packages

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