Kali Linux 2025.1a has been released and enhances existing features and improves the user experience. The update features an annual theme refresh, enhancements to the desktop environment, and the introduction of a new major kernel for Raspberry Pi. The 2025 theme refresh aims to improve the user experience from the outset, featuring significant updates to the boot menu, login screen, and desktop wallpapers for both Kali and Kali Purple editions.

Kali 2025 introduces a new wallpaper collection featuring a background contributed by Onix32032044, along with two additional backgrounds that were not part of the default theme update. The Community Wallpapers package provides a selection of new backgrounds developed by contributors from the community.

Kali now has KDE Plasma 6.2, which features new themes and improved desktop and window graphics. In order to improve desktop navigation speed, Xfce, the default desktop environment, has also been updated from 4.18 to 4.20 with additional keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts are located in the XFWM4 keyboard section or in the keyboard settings dialog.

The Raspberry Pi image for 2025.1a has been enhanced with an updated package, raspi-firmware, and a new kernel derived from version 6.6.74. The latest kernel packages comprise linux-image-rpi-2712, linux-image-rpi-v8, linux-image-rpi-v7l, linux-headers-rpi-v7, and linux-headers-rpi-v6. The Nexmon kernel module has been enhanced with DKMS support and is now accessible as brcmfmac-nexmon-dkms, facilitating independent updates from the kernel. A revised partition layout replicates Raspberry Pi OS images, with the initial (vfat) partition now mounted at /boot/firmware rather than /boot. The updated boot firmware efficiently manages numerous tasks autonomously.

The latest updates to Kali NetHunter feature the introduction of the "CAN Arsenal" tab, new kernels specifically for Samsung devices, a dynamic wallpaper, and various bug fixes. The Kali kernel has been updated to version 6.12, and additional tools have been incorporated into the network repositories. 

Kali Linux 2025.1a Release (2025 Theme, & Raspberry Pi)

We are kicking off 2025 with Kali Linux 2025.1a! This update builds on existing features, bringing enhancements and improvements to streamline your experience. It is now available to  download or  upgrade if you’re already running Kali Linux. Kali Linux 2025.1a? What happened to 2025.1? There was a last minute bug discovered in a package after already producing our images. As a result, a re-build was needed, with a fix.

Here is a recap of the  changelog since our  December 2024.4 release:

• 2025 Theme Refresh - Our yearly theme refresh
• Desktop Environment Updates -  KDE Plasma 6.2 &  Xfce 4.20
• Raspberry Pi - New major kernel
• Kali NetHunter CAN - Car hacking in your pocket
• Packages - Various new packages added & numerous packages updated

Kali Linux 2025.1a Release (2025 Theme, & Raspberry Pi) | Kali Linux Blog