Most websites promising highly compressed downloads do not actually have the file. Instead, they force you through a never-ending loop of sketchy advertising links, pop-ups, and phishing pages designed to steal your personal data or infect your browser with adware. How Compression Works on the Official Kali ISO
Many tech websites compress the standard ISO file using a tool called 7-Zip. They do this to help users with slow internet. Only trust websites that have good reviews and clear instructions. How to Extract and Use the File kali linux iso file highly compressed download
If you have a slow internet connection or limited storage, the official project offers "NetInstaller" images, which are the smallest available downloads: Kali Linux Kali NetInstaller (64-bit): Kali NetInstaller (32-bit): ~336 MB (older releases). Most websites promising highly compressed downloads do not
These files are highly compressed packages ( .7z or .zip ) containing a pre-installed environment. They do this to help users with slow internet
The version is the official solution for a highly compressed initial download.
Open VMware -> File -> Open -> Select the .vmx file extracted. Verification: Ensuring Your Image is Safe