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How To Install VMWare Tools On Kali Linux (VMWare Workstation 12)

Published: December 1, 2025 (Updated: Dec 1, 2025)

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Unlock Kali Linux: Install VMware Tools for Seamless Full-Screen and Copy/Paste!

Hello and welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials! If you’re running Kali Linux inside a VMware virtual machine, you know how frustrating it can be dealing with tiny screens, annoying cursor locks, and the inability to copy simple text.

The fix? VMware Tools!

While technically Kali (a Debian-based distro) uses the open-vm-tools package, the result is the same: dramatically improved usability and performance. This short, powerful guide will walk you through exactly how to get this essential utility running, transforming your Kali VM experience from clunky to smooth.

Let’s dive in!

Why You Need VMware Tools on Kali Linux

VMware Tools (or open-vm-tools) is a suite of utilities that bridges the gap between your host operating system and your virtual machine, providing crucial quality-of-life upgrades.

Here’s what you gain immediately after installation:

  • True Full-Screen Support: Your Kali desktop will scale properly to fill your monitor, eliminating black bars and resolution issues.
  • Seamless Copy and Paste: Effortlessly transfer text, commands, and files between your Kali VM and your host machine (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  • No More Cursor Locks: The infamous “grab and release” cursor action (which used to require hitting Ctrl+Alt) vanishes. Your mouse will move freely in and out of the VM window.
  • Improved Graphics Performance: Better screen refresh and responsiveness.

Step 1: Preparing Your Kali System (Update & Upgrade)

Before installing any new packages, it is crucial to ensure your Kali system is completely up-to-date. This prevents dependency conflicts and ensures system stability.

  1. Open your terminal in Kali Linux.

  2. Update your package lists by running the following command:

    apt-get update

  3. Upgrade all existing packages to their newest versions. This step might take some time, depending on how recently you last updated your system:

    apt-get upgrade

    When prompted to continue, type Y and press Enter.

  4. Reboot the system. Once the upgrade is complete, we need to apply the changes before installation. Type the following command to initiate a quick reboot:

    init 6

Wait for your Kali VM to fully boot back up and log in again.

Step 2: Installing the open-vm-tools-desktop Package

Now that your system is fresh, we can install the VMware Tools equivalent package specifically designed for desktop environments. We will install the open-vm-tools-desktop package along with the necessary fuse utility.

  1. Open your terminal once your system is fully logged back in.

  2. Run the installation command: This command fetches and installs all the necessary utilities for seamless VM integration.

    apt-get install open-vm-tools-desktop fuse

  3. Confirm the installation. When prompted, type Y to confirm that you want to download and install the new software packages.

The installation will run and automatically configure the required drivers and services.

Step 3: Finalizing the Installation and Verification

The key to finalizing the installation of these low-level drivers is one final reboot.

  1. Perform the final system reboot: Once the installation finishes, reboot your system one last time to ensure all services are running correctly in the background.

    init 6

  2. Log in and verify. Once your Kali VM has fully booted back up and you have logged in, test the features:

    • Try clicking the full-screen button on your VMware window. Your Kali desktop should immediately resize smoothly and fill the entire screen.
    • Test copying text from a web browser on your host machine and pasting it directly into the Kali terminal.

If the screen goes full screen and your cursor moves freely, you have successfully installed VMware Tools on Kali Linux!

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Seamless Kali VM Experience!

You’ve done it! By taking a few short steps, you have transformed your Kali Linux virtual machine into a powerful, professional environment. No more fighting with screen resolutions or wrestling your cursor!

Now that your system is running smoothly, you can focus on the important work ahead. If this tutorial helped you unlock your Kali workflow, please give this post a share and let me know in the comments below what technical tutorial you’d like to see next!

Don’t forget to Like this post and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials on YouTube for more clear, actionable guides! Happy hacking!