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

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

firmware = “efi”
Save the file
Start the VM
Perform a normal install
When prompted if you want to keep the UEFI mode during install, select YES