Kali Linux 2020.2

Kali Linux 2020.2 is the second update of Kali Linux in 2020, and this new version comes just after its predecessor, 2020.1.

The new version of Kali Linux, 2020.2 will controversially remove the different ISO images with different desktop environments. Rather it will offer a single ISO from which the user can select which desktop environment they want to use.

Apart from this, the new version of Kali Linux, 2020.2, does not bring any extraordinary news or any revolutionary changes. This new version focuses on updating and improving the environment and the overall user experience of the distro.

Kali Linux 2020.2: What’s New?

In the previous version of Kali Linux 2020.1, Kali Linux has removed the presence of various ISO images with different desktop environments. And to replace it, now it offers a single ISO image from which the user can select upon startup which desktop environment they want to use. 

But, somehow, this has caused problems for the users, as they have found that the distro takes a long time to retrieve the package list. So, to solve this issue, the new ISO of 2020.2 now saves all the “kali-linux-large” meta-packages, as well as all desktops and other packages, in the image itself.

Kali Linux 2020.2

Although the image becomes larger, but, the fact is that now it takes much less time to retrieve the packages, and can be installed without any problem on offline computers as well.

Apart from this, there is another feature that is introduced in this new version, and this feature remains hidden inside the KDE Plasma desktop.

Kali Linux 2020.2

This time, the developers of Kali Linux have put aside the XFCE and GNOME desktops to focus their development on KDE Plasma.

That’s why the new light and dark themes have been introduced to customize the appearance of Kali Linux, and even the login screen as well also improved.

Kali Linux 2020.2

Moreover, the developers of the Kali Linux have also introduced another interesting change, the inclusion of PowerShell, by default, which means that from now, we don’t have to install it manually. As the new version of Kali Linux 2020.2 includes the PowerShell packages directly in the “kali-linux-large” meta-packages.

This new version of Kali Linux 2020.2 also brings changes in ARM as well, and as an outcome, the ARM images no longer use login with the superuser account. Not only that, even the minimum SD card requirements also go from 8GB to 16GB for ARM images.

Overall key highlights:-

  • KDE Plasma makeover and login – The own dark and light themes for Plasma have now been included, and the login has been refined
  • Default PowerShell – More or less, now it is not necessary to install it with a terminal command, but it is still necessary to check the option to install it during the installation process.
  • Kali on ARM improvements – ARM images no longer use login with the superuser account.
  • Lessons from Installer Changes – Changes have been made removing options like “kali-linux-everything” and have improved “kali-linux-large”. It has also removed customization for Live images, and now only the XFCE environment can be used in this type of assembly.
  • GNOME 3.36.
  • Joplin – It will be replaced by CherryTree in Kali Linux 2020.3 release.
  • Nextnet.
  • Python 3.8.
  • SpiderFoot.
  • Infrastructure improvements.
  • NetHunter improvements.

Are you interested in using Kali Linux 2020.2? And want to download it now? Don’t worry, from here (https://www.kali.org/downloads/) you can download the new ISO in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

But, if you are already using the Kali Linux and want to update your existing version then you have to run the command that we have mentioned below:-

sudo apt update && sudo apt -y full-upgrade

For new installation you can download from here.

To check after upgradation for Kali Linux 2020.2;

kali@kali:~$ grep VERSION /etc/os-release

You are also recommended reviewing our Kali Linux Tutorials page which covers dozens of Kali Linux Tools. Also, Learn The Complete Kali Tools in Kali Linux Operating System.

So, what do you think about this? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below. And if you liked this post, then simply do not forget to share this post with your friends, family, and on your social network profiles as well.

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BALAJI is an Ex-Security Researcher (Threat Research Labs) at Comodo Cybersecurity. Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder - Cyber Security News & GBHackers On Security.