Win-KeX in Window Mode (Win) will run a Kali Linux desktop session in a separate window.

Window mode helps keeping the Windows and Kali environments visually apart.

Win-KeX utilises TigerVNC for its client and server components.

• Start Win-KeX as normal user in window mode via: kex --win

  • Or simply via: kex
  • NOTE: Window mode is the default Win-KeX mode so --win can be omitted in all commands on this page.

• You will be prompted to set a VNC server password during first launch.

  • The password can be changed later via kex --passwd

This will start the Win-KeX server and launch the Win-KeX client in full screen mode:

• Start Win-KeX as root in window mode via: sudo kex --win
• You will be prompted to set a VNC server password during first launch.
  • The password can be changed later via: sudo kex --passwd

This will start the Win-KeX server as root and launch the Win-KeX client in full screen mode.

NOTE: The Win-KeX client always prompts for the VNC server password when connecting to a root session.

• Pressing F8 will open the client’s context menu, which allows to manage the client sessions, e.g. close the client, switch between full screen and window, etc.)
• You can disconnect from active sessions by pressing F8 -> Exit viewer. This will close the client but leave the session running in the background
• You can re-connect to a session by typing: kex --win --start-client

• Win-KeX includes pulse audio support
• To start Win-KeX with sound support, add --sound or -s, e.g.: kex --win --sound
• When starting Win-KeX with sounds support for the first time, ensure to select Public networks when asked for authorisation to allow traffic through the Windows Defender firewall

• Win-KeX supports multiscreen setups: Press F8 an go to Options -> Screen. Then untick “Enable full-screen mode over all monitors” & “Full screen mode”, move Win-KeX to the desired screen and re-enable full-screen mode

• To close the Win-KeX client, press F8 and select “Exit viewer”
• To optionally shutdown Win-KeX Win mode, type: kex --win --stop

Enjoy Win-KeX!