How to update Kali
Jacob Mehnert
Last updated on May 4, 2023


This guide will demonstrate how to update Kali Linux to the latest version. Updating and Upgrading should be the crucial first step in any workflow when using Kali Lunix. You don't want to start working with an outdated system or with outdated tools.

Step 1 Open Kali's command line Terminal
Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal Interface.

Step 2 Enter the following command
To update and upgrade Kali enter the following command: sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y
If you asked to restart services during the upgrades, choose Yes

Step 3 Remove your unnecessary Packages
Once the updates and upgrades are complete some of the packages won't be required. You can remove those packages with the command: sudo apt autoremove -y
This will allow your Kali Linux machine to run smoothly and will free up necessary storage.

In the event that you don't have the latest release of Kali Linux, or didn't install it, you're going to want to use the following command
sudo apt update && sudo dist-upgrade -y
Be cautious, as this is the equivalent a major Windows Update and can mess up a system that you have been using for a while.