Problem

Kali Linux 2018.4 x64 fails to install manually when using VM Fusion 10.1.5 (hangs during “copying data to disk” portion of the install).

Solution

1. Create a new Custom VM
2. Select the iso you downloaded
3. When prompted for the OS of ISO select “Debian 8.x 64 bit”
4. Name the VM ‘kali-linux-2018.4-vm-amd64’ (not required)
5. Set the following options:
   • CPU: 2 processors
   • HDD Space: 40 GB (20 GB is also probably fine)
   • Memory: 2048 GB
6. When the machine starts to boot, immediately stop it
7. In the VMWare Fusion VM list, Right click on the VM “kali-linux-2018.4-vm-amd64”
8. From popup menu select “Show in Finder”
9. In the Finder window, right click on “kali-linux-2018.4-vm-amd64.vmwarevm”
10. From popup menu select “Show Package Contents”
11. Edit file “kali-linux-2018.4-vm-amd64.vmx”

12. insert a new line between the first and second lines of the file with the following text:

    firmware = “efi”

13. Save the file

14. Start the VM
15. Perform a normal install
16. When prompted if you want to keep the UEFI mode during install, select YES