Kali Linux Live is perfect for pentesting on the go — and by adding persistence, you can keep your tools, config, and data across reboots. This guide walks you through using Windows to burn Kali to a USB with Rufus, and then configure persistence manually.

Downloading the Correct Kali Linux ISO

Before you burn anything, you need the right ISO — not all Kali images behave the same with persistence.

Official Download Page

You should always download Kali Linux from the official site:

👉 https://www.kali.org/get-kali/
(This is the only trusted source.)

Which ISO Should You Download?

For a Live USB with persistence, choose:Kali Linux 64-bit (Live)

Look for the part named Kali Linux 64-bit (Live)

Why this one?

• It includes the Live environment needed for persistence.

• Works best with Rufus and standard USB boot setups.

• Compatible with most modern PCs.

Do NOT download:

• “Installer” ISOs → these are for full installations.

• “NetInstaller” → no live environment.

• “Everything” ISO → extremely large, breaks persistence setups often.

• ARM images → not for PCs.

Step 1: Burn the ISO to USB with Rufus (Windows)

1. Plug in your USB stick.

2. Open Rufus (portable version is fine).

3. Under Device, select your USB.

4. Click SELECT and open the Kali ISO you downloaded.

5. Rufus will detect it’s a Live ISO.

6. If your version of Rufus shows a “Persistent partition size” slider → choose how much space you want for persistence.

7. Leave the boot settings on default (MBR/GPT based on your system).

8. Click START → confirm warnings.

9. Wait for flashing to complete and eject safely.

Step 2: Boot from the USB

1. Insert the USB into the target machine.

2. Enter BIOS/UEFI boot menu (F12, Esc, Del… depends on the board).

3. Choose your USB as the boot device.

4. In the Kali boot menu select:

• Live System

• Live System (persistence) — if persistence was enabled correctly.

Step 3: Verify Persistence

If persistence is enabled:

1. Boot into Live with persistence.

2. Create a file (e.g., test.txt) on the Desktop.

3. Reboot again from USB → choose persistence.

4. If the file is still there, persistence works.

Tips for Best Compatibility

• Use a USB of at least 8 GB, ideally 16+ GB if you want persistence.

• Avoid the “Everything” ISO — it’s heavy and often breaks persistence tools.

• Persistence sometimes fails with older Rufus versions — keep Rufus updated.

• Your BIOS must allow booting from USB; some laptops hide this setting.

Common Errors When Creating a Kali Linux Live USB (Windows)

Even when everything seems correct, Kali Live USBs can break in annoying ways.
Here’s a list of the most common problems, why they happen, and how to fix them.

• USB won’t boot
  Usually Secure Boot or wrong ISO. Turn Secure Boot off, enable Legacy/CSM, and reflash the correct Live ISO.
• Secure Boot blocked the bootloader
  Kali Live isn’t signed. Disable Secure Boot or it will never boot. No workaround.
• Black screen after choosing “Live”
  GPU hiccups or bad flash. Add nomodeset at boot, then recreate the USB with a fresh ISO.
• Persistence not working
  Wrong ISO or bad partition. Use the Live ISO, update Rufus, and name the persistence partition correctly.
• USB doesn’t appear in the boot menu
  Fast Boot or BIOS mode mismatch. Disable Fast Boot, enable Legacy/CSM, and try a USB 2.0 port.
• Rufus ISOHybrid warning
  Normal for Kali. Pick “ISO mode” and continue.
• WiFi missing
  Your chipset needs firmware. Use the non-free ISO or install drivers later.
• Boot loops back to BIOS
  USB corrupted or wrong boot order. Reflash the drive and move USB to top priority.
• BIOS blocks USB boot
  OEM security settings. Disable USB restrictions and allow external boot—Secure Boot OFF again.
• Initramfs / Kernel Panic
  Corrupt ISO or broken persistence. Wipe the USB and remake it cleanly.