How to install Software on Kali Linux

Update: Which graphical package managers are available for installation on Kali Linux 2021.3, the latest edition of Kali Linux? You’ll find the options in how to Install a graphical package manager on Kali Linux 2021.3.

Kali Linux is the next-generation edition of BackTrack. It is BackTrack reborn. If you’ve been using BackTrack, or you’re are thinking about using BackTrack, forget it. Kali Linux is what you want to be using. What’s the difference?

BackTrack is based on an old edition of Ubuntu, while Kali is based on the latest edition of Debian. On the installation side, Kali Linux uses Debian’s graphical installer, which means you get features like LVM, the Linux Logical Volume Manager, and disk encryption. With BackTrack and its Ubuntu installer, you get none of that.

Those are a few of the major differences. When it comes to installing applications or software on Kali Linux, there is no difference between it and BackTrack. This article shows the many methods you can use to install and manage applications on Kali Linux 1.0. Obviously, this is not intended for experienced users, but for those new to Linux.

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1. From the command-line: Since Kali is based on Debian, installing and managing software from the command-line is accomplished using apt-get and other components of Debian’s Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). For example, to install an application like Ubuntu’s Software Center, you would issue the following command: apt-get install software-center. It’s that easy, if you know the name of the software you wish to install. You can find out more by reading the man page. Just type man apt-get from the command-line.

2. Gpk-application: The Gnome PackageKit is one of two graphical package managers installed out of the box. The other one is Synaptic Package Manager. For a new user, these graphical package managers offer a more user-friendly method of installing software. You can access it from the menu at Applications > System Tools > Add/Remove Software.

3. Synaptic Package Manager: This used to be the graphical package managers on Debian-based distributions. You may start this one from the menu: Applications > System Tools > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager.

4. Ubuntu Software Center: This is the same graphical package manager available on Ubuntu. It is not installed by default, but is in the repository, so you can install it by typing apt-get install software-center. Once installed, you can access it from Applications > System Tools > Administration > Software Center.

The latest edition of Kali Linux is available for download here.

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slapz

8 years ago

apt-get install synaptic

Synaptic is the software center for Kali Linux 2.0

sangeet

i typed apt-get install software-center on my kali linux but it shows error saying that package ‘software-center’ has no installation candidate. please help/

Crow

Hey, can u help me with the suspend problem and lid action in Kali? I’ve seen this problem in many Linux systems. After suspending the OS (here Kali Linux) when we turn it back using the power switch (or open lid action if you suspend the OS closing the lid) the hard disk starts but the display remains blank. It stays like this until we force switch off the system and reboot. Am wondering it’s the problem with display drivers. Can you help me fix this?

I have no option of add/remove software in Kali Linux system tools and not able to instal any software help me please

finid

Author

Reply to ud

Which edition of Kali?

geo

U should install “synaptic package manager” for kali linux 2016 rolling…..

#apt-get install synaptic
Thats it…

Shahid

9 years ago

Am unable to use wireless (airmon-ng) . I bought some wireless adapter and these adapters doesn’t work on kali linux so can you help me????

Reply to Shahid

Which adapters did you buy?

Deniz

Another fuckn useless guide about linux. What on earth are you doing over there. This is a fuckn stupid text to waste peoples time. Links does not work, commands does not work..

Why the fuck did you wrote this stuff seriously ? What is your problem. Do you have a certificate saying that you are not an idiot ? Did you passed the idiot test ?

Reply to Deniz

You must be having a very bad morning or you just don’t know how to ask questions.

fartsren

how can I install software if I have zip file ??

Reply to fartsren

Please explain a bit. What’s in the zip file?

kali kali

10 years ago

i have tried all of the above and have come across E: Package ‘software-center’ has no installation candidate

i tried the add or remove programe function but still cant find it anywhere i have no idea where it could be HELP!!!

Reply to kali kali

Software Center is not available in the repo of the latest edition of Kali Linux.

ibrahim

HEy ..

it shows

root@Linux-Ibrahim:~# apt-get install software-center
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
Package software-center is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source

E: Package ‘software-center’ has no installation candidate

How do i proceed further??
Please tell !! waiting for your reply

Reply to ibrahim

I don’t think Software Center is still in the repository. In the latest versions of Kali, gpk-application is the graphical package manager. You’ll find it in the menu: Applications > System Tools > Add/Remove Software.

Ranganath

Hi
Check your source.list file if these repos available

## Regular repositories
deb http://http.kali.org/kali/ kali main non-free contrib
deb http://security.kali.org/kali-security/ kali/updates main contrib non-free
## Source repositories
deb-src http://http.kali.org/kali/ kali main non-free contrib
deb-src http://security.kali.org/kali-security/ kali/updates main contrib non-free

you can check it with “leafpad /etc/apt/source.list”

pawan

i am getting this error { cannot find win32.loader.ini} give me a soln as soon as possible…

Reply to pawan

“cannot find win32.loader.ini” error when installing software on a Linux distribution. Are you sure?

gnome

you extracted the iso and ran setup, you need to write the iso to a usb stick, or mount it first.

ihygg

11 years ago

I have a big problem…when I try install synaptic or software center with command: apt-get install synaptic when my try is fail…
Reading packge information …Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information Done
Package synaptic is not availableq but is referred to by another package.This may mean that the package is missingq has bee obsoleted, or is only available from another source
E:Package’synaptic’ has no installation candidate

Reply to ihygg

Synaptic Package Manager is already installed, so no need to try installing it. See the number 3 item in this post.

Naff

Reply to finid

I freshly installed Kali Linux then the first thing I did was set the correct official repos, apt-get update, apt-get upgrade; I did not do the dist-upgrade first. Then I installed using the first method indicated here and it worked.