Kali Linux 2025.4 arrives with GNOME 49, KDE Plasma 6.5, and much more

posted by Rianne Schestowitz on Dec 13, 2025,
updated Dec 16, 2025

Quoting: Kali Linux 2025.4 arrives with GNOME 49, KDE Plasma 6.5, and much more —

Kali Linux, a popular Linux distribution for cybersecurity research and penetration testing, just revealed the Kali Linux 2025.4 release. This new build has updates to GNOME, KDE, and Xfce desktop environments, improvements for virtual machines, and much more.

Kali Linux is primarily a rolling release distribution, so the system components are updated frequently throughout the year—other operating systems like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian hold back packages for the next point release. Kali also offers periodic snapshot releases with packages held back, though, and the latest one just arrived as version 2025.4.

This is the first snapshot release with GNOME 49, which has Showtime as the new video player, Papers as the new document viewer, faster performance for the Software app store, lock screen media controls, a new Do Not Disturb toggle, better HDR support, and many other improvements. The Kali team specifically called out folder support in the app launcher as a helpful change, since it places all Kali tools in helpful categorized sections.

Read on

Linuxiac:

• Kali Linux 2025.4 Released With GNOME 49, KDE Plasma 6.5

  Kali Linux 2025.3, a Debian-based distribution designed for advanced penetration testing and security auditing, is now available for download, marking the fourth quarterly release of 2025.

  All supported desktop environments have been updated. GNOME moves to version 49, bringing refreshed Kali theming and smoother visuals. Plus, the newer Showtime application has replaced the Totem video player, and the application grid now mirrors the menu structure, grouping Kali tools into folders.

  A dedicated terminal shortcut using Ctrl+Alt+T or Win+T is now enabled by default. Most notably, GNOME in Kali no longer supports X11 sessions, making Wayland the sole display server.

Two more:

• 9to5Linux ☛ Kali GNU/Linux 2025.4 Ethical Hacking Distro Released with KDE Plasma 6.5, GNOME 49

  Kali GNU/Linux 2025.4 ethical hacking and penetration testing distribution is now available for download with 10 new tools and other updates. Here’s what’s new!

• Distro Watch ☛ Distribution Release: Kali Linux 2025.4

  The Kali Linux team have announced a new version of their Debian-based distribution. The security and forensics platform includes new updates to the Plasma and GNOME desktops along with better Wayland support for instances running inside virtual machines. [...]

Original:

• Kali GNU/Linux 2025.4 Release (Desktop Environments, Wayland & Halloween Mode)

  Say hello to Kali GNU/Linux 2025.4! Expect updated tools, performance tweaks, and improved support - no fluff, just the essentials.

  [...]

  As with previous GNOME updates in Kali, we’ve given all our themes a fresh coat of paint - everything has been tuned to look sharp and feel smooth.

  The Totem video player has been replaced with the new Showtime app, and the app grid now finally organizes Kali tools into folders, just like the menu does, making it far more intuitive to find the tool you need.

  Another quality-of-life improvement is the addition of a shortcut to quickly open a terminal (finally!), using Ctrl+Alt+T or Win+T - just like in our other desktops.

  One of the major changes in GNOME 49 is the removal of X11 session support. Wayland is now the default - and only - window server, but do not worry: the transition is seamless and, as we explain later, even VM support is excellent.

Microsoft boosters:

• Kali Linux 2025.4 released with 3 new tools, desktop updates

  Kali Linux has released version 2025.4, its final update of the year, introducing three new hacking tools, desktop environment improvements, the preview of Wifipumpkin3 in NetHunter, and enhanced Wayland support.

  Kali Linux is a distribution designed for cybersecurity professionals and ethical hackers to perform red-teaming, penetration testing, security assessments, and network research.

  The distribution is available as an installable operating system or a live environment and supports a wide range of hardware, including Raspberry Pi devices and compatible Android phones through Kali NetHunter.

Might be a slopfarm:

• Kali Linux 2025.4 released with full Wayland support and new ofsec tools

  The Kali Linux team has released version 2025.4, delivering a round of refinements to the GNOME, KDE, and Xfce desktops, transitioning fully to Wayland as the default windowing system.

  The latest update builds on the previous 2025.3 release from September, with enhanced desktop experiences, improved VM guest support under Wayland, and a handful of new offensive security tools.

Some MS LinkedIn blurb, might be slop:

• Kali Linux 2025.4 Released With 3 New Hacking Tools (Desktop Environments, Wayland & Halloween Mode)

  Offensive Security (OffSec) has officially released Kali Linux version 2025.4, marking its final update of the year. This release introduces three new tools, notable desktop environment enhancements, and improved Wayland support.

  The ever popular and fan favourite Kali Linux is designed specifically for penetration testing and security auditing. Its compatibility with various hardware makes it a versatile tool for cybersecurity professionals to assess and strengthen system security. Renowned for its powerful capabilities, Kali Linux has earned a strong reputation in the cybersecurity field and is the prefered tool for penetration testing.

Late coverage:

• Kali Linux 2025.4: New tools and “quality-of-life” improvements

  OffSec has released Kali Linux 2025.4, a new version of its widely used penetration testing and digital forensics platform.

  [...]

  Finally, like the Kali Everything image (which contains all Kali tools), the Kali Live image – a bootable version of Kali Linux that lets you run the operating system directly from a USB drive or DVD without installing it on your computer – is now downloadable only via BitTorrent, because of its increased size.