How to Dual Boot Kali Linux and Windows 11
Want to run Kali Linux alongside Windows for ethical hacking, cybersecurity research, or penetration testing practice? In this video, I'll walk you through the complete dual boot setup from scratch — safely, and without touching your existing Windows installation.
⚠️ Important: Kali Linux is a professional security toolkit. Only use these tools on systems, networks, and applications you own or have explicit written authorization to test. For legal practice environments, check out platforms like Hack The Box and TryHackMe.
✅ What you'll learn:
Downloading Kali Linux and Rufus from official sources
Why you need to temporarily disable Windows Defender during USB creation
Checking and disabling BitLocker before partitioning
Shrinking your Windows partition safely via Disk Management
Disabling Secure Boot in UEFI/BIOS
Booting from USB via Advanced Startup
Manual partitioning — the most critical step to protect your Windows files
Setting up your Kali user account and hostname
Choosing the default XFCE desktop environment
Installing the GRUB bootloader for dual boot
Verifying your Windows installation remains completely untouched
🕐 Chapters:
0:00 Intro — what this dual boot setup gives you
0:30 Downloading Kali Linux and Rufus
1:20 Temporarily disabling Windows Defender
2:00 Creating the bootable USB with Rufus
2:50 Re-enabling Windows Defender
3:10 Checking BitLocker encryption status
3:50 Shrinking your Windows partition
4:50 Disabling Secure Boot in UEFI
5:30 Booting from USB via Advanced Startup
6:00 Starting the Kali graphical installer
6:40 Hostname, network & account setup
7:30 Manual partitioning — the critical step
9:00 Software selection & XFCE desktop
9:50 Installing the GRUB bootloader
10:30 First boot into Kali Linux
11:00 Verifying Windows still works
11:30 Wrap-up & responsible use reminder
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