How to Transfer Files Between Windows 11 and Kali Linux in VMware Workstation Using the Same Network

In this guide: Learn how to transfer files between a Windows 11 host and Kali Linux running inside VMware Workstation when both systems are connected to the same local network. This tutorial demonstrates a simple Python HTTP Server method and also explains SCP, SFTP, SMB, networking, troubleshooting, and security.

If you are learning Linux, networking, VMware, ethical hacking, or cybersecurity, file transfer between a host operating system and a virtual machine is a useful practical skill.

In my setup, Kali Linux is running inside VMware Workstation on Windows 11. Both systems are reachable on the same local network, so I can start a temporary HTTP server on Kali Linux and access the shared files from Windows using a web browser.

Original Screenshot 1 — Kali Linux network configuration and Python HTTP server running on port 8000.

1. My Network Setup

The important network information visible in the screenshot is:

Device / Information	Value
Kali Linux VM IP address	192.168.31.195
Windows 11 client IP	192.168.31.11
Default gateway	192.168.31.1
Network	192.168.31.0/24
Python HTTP port	8000

The /24 notation normally represents the subnet mask 255.255.255.0. In this example, the Windows machine and Kali VM are on the same local subnet.

Windows 11 192.168.31.11 | | HTTP / TCP 8000 v VMware Workstation | v Kali Linux VM 192.168.31.195 | v Python HTTP Server | v Shared Files

2. How VMware Workstation Networking Works

VMware Workstation provides several networking modes. The most common are Bridged, NAT, and Host-only.

Bridged Networking

With Bridged networking, the Kali virtual machine can appear as another device on the physical LAN. This makes it convenient when you want Kali and other devices on the same network to communicate directly.

NAT Networking

With NAT, VMware places the VM behind a virtual NAT network. Kali can normally access external networks through the Windows host, but the VM's IP address may be different from the physical LAN address.

Host-only Networking

Host-only networking creates a private network mainly for communication between the Windows host and virtual machines. It is useful for isolated labs, but it is different from having the VM directly on your normal LAN.

3. Check the Kali Linux IP Address

Open the Kali terminal and run:

ip a

You can also inspect the Ethernet interface:

ip addr show eth0

Look for an IPv4 address similar to:

inet 192.168.31.195/24

To view the routing table:

ip route

In my screenshot, the route includes:

default via 192.168.31.1 dev eth0
192.168.31.0/24 dev eth0

4. Check the Windows 11 IP Address

On Windows 11, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

ipconfig

Find the active network adapter and check its IPv4 address, subnet mask, and gateway. For example:

IPv4 Address . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.31.11
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . : 192.168.31.1

5. Test the Connection

Before starting the file transfer, test whether Windows can reach the Kali VM.

ping 192.168.31.195

If you receive replies, basic IP connectivity is working. A failed ping does not always mean the HTTP server is unreachable because a firewall can block ICMP traffic.

6. Start a Python HTTP Server on Kali Linux

Python includes a simple HTTP server module that is useful for temporary file sharing. First, create a dedicated directory instead of exposing your entire home directory.

mkdir -p ~/file-share

Copy a file into the directory:

cp ~/Downloads/image.pdf ~/file-share/

Enter the directory:

cd ~/file-share

Start the HTTP server on port 8000:

python3 -m http.server 8000

You should see something similar to:

Serving HTTP on 0.0.0.0 port 8000

The server is now ready to accept HTTP connections on port 8000.

7. Open the Kali File Server From Windows 11

On Windows 11, open Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another browser and enter:

http://192.168.31.195:8000/

If the network configuration is correct, the browser will display the directory listing.

Original Screenshot 2 — Windows 11 browser accessing the Kali Linux HTTP server at 192.168.31.195:8000.

8. Understanding the Browser Directory Listing

The screenshot shows a directory listing containing files such as APK files, a PowerPoint presentation, a PDF, and a Telegram Desktop directory.

When you click a file in the directory listing, the browser sends an HTTP request to the Kali server and receives the file as the response.

9. Understanding the HTTP Server Log

The Kali terminal records requests made by Windows. A successful request may look like:

192.168.31.11 - - "GET /Downloads/ HTTP/1.1" 200 -

• 192.168.31.11 — the client IP address.
• GET — the browser requested a resource.
• /Downloads/ — the requested directory.
• HTTP/1.1 — the HTTP protocol version.
• 200 — the request was successfully handled.

If you see a request for /favicon.ico returning 404, it normally means the browser requested a favicon that does not exist in the shared directory. It does not mean the file-transfer server itself has failed.

10. Important Limitation of Python HTTP Server

Important: The basic python3 -m http.server command is primarily useful for serving files for download. It is not a complete authenticated file-sharing system and does not provide a normal upload interface for Windows → Kali.

Kali Linux | | HTTP v Windows 11 | v Download File

11. Windows → Kali Using SCP

If you need to upload files from Windows to Kali, SCP over SSH is a better option when SSH is enabled on the Kali machine.

scp "C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\test.pdf" od09hacker@192.168.31.195:/home/od09hacker/Downloads/

The transfer is authenticated through SSH and encrypted in transit.

12. Using SFTP

For an interactive file-transfer session:

sftp od09hacker@192.168.31.195

Upload a file:

put test.pdf

Download a file:

get image.pdf

13. SMB/Samba for Regular File Sharing

For repeated Windows ↔ Kali file sharing, SMB/Samba can be configured as a network share. Windows can then access a share using a path such as:

\\192.168.31.195\share

Unlike a temporary Python HTTP server, a properly configured SMB share can use accounts and permissions for controlled access.

14. Security Considerations

Use a dedicated sharing directory. Only place files that you intentionally want to transfer into the directory served by the HTTP server.

Avoid starting the server from sensitive locations such as the root filesystem:

cd /
python3 -m http.server 8000

Instead, use a dedicated folder:

mkdir -p ~/file-share
cd ~/file-share
python3 -m http.server 8000

The basic Python HTTP server should be considered a temporary convenience service, not a replacement for a properly authenticated and access-controlled file server.

15. Stop the Python Server

After completing the transfer, return to the Kali terminal running the HTTP server and press:

Ctrl + C

This stops the temporary HTTP service.

16. Troubleshooting

Problem: Windows browser cannot connect

Check Kali's IP address:

ip a

Check that the server is running:

python3 -m http.server 8000

From Windows PowerShell, test TCP port 8000:

Test-NetConnection 192.168.31.195 -Port 8000

A successful test should report:

TcpTestSucceeded : True

Problem: Kali has a different IP address

Do not permanently assume that Kali will always use 192.168.31.195. DHCP can assign a different address. Check with:

ip addr
ip route

Problem: “No such file or directory”

If you run:

cd /path/to/folder

you are using an example placeholder. Replace it with the real directory. For example:

cd ~/Downloads

17. Complete Quick Workflow

1. Check Kali's IP address using ip a.
2. Create a dedicated folder using mkdir -p ~/file-share.
3. Put the files you want to share inside that folder.
4. Run cd ~/file-share.
5. Start python3 -m http.server 8000.
6. On Windows, open http://KALI-IP:8000/.
7. Click the required file to download it.
8. Press Ctrl + C on Kali when finished.

18. Python HTTP vs SCP vs SFTP vs SMB

Method	Typical Use	Authentication
Python HTTP Server	Quick temporary downloads	No built-in user authentication
SCP	Secure command-line transfer	SSH authentication
SFTP	Secure interactive file transfer	SSH authentication
SMB/Samba	Regular Windows ↔ Linux sharing	Configurable users/permissions

19. Conclusion

Transferring files between Windows 11 and Kali Linux in VMware Workstation does not require complicated software when both systems can communicate over the same network.

For a quick Kali → Windows transfer, Python's HTTP server provides a simple solution:

cd ~/file-share
python3 -m http.server 8000

Then open:

http://192.168.31.195:8000/

For regular or bidirectional transfers, SCP, SFTP, or a properly secured SMB share is more appropriate.

Topics:
Kali LinuxWindows 11VMware WorkstationFile TransferPython HTTP ServerNetworkingSCPSFTPCybersecurity Lab