ubuntu desktop remote access

by Lysanne Heaney Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

We'll start with the VNC option, as it's the most common method.

Step 1: Enable screen sharing. Ubuntu has built-in support for screen sharing via VNC (Image credit: Ubuntu) ...
Step 2: Set sharing to on. ...
Step 3: Get the IP address of your Ubuntu computer. ...
Step 4: Install a VNC client. ...
Step 5: Remote desktop into Ubuntu.

Mar 25, 2022

Full Answer

How do I enable remote desktop on Ubuntu?

Ubuntu 20.04 Remote Desktop from Windows 10 step by step instructions

First step is to install Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server xrdp on the Ubuntu 20.04 desktop. ...
Enable to start after reboot and run the remote desktop sharing server xrdp : $ sudo systemctl enable --now xrdp
Still on the Ubuntu 20.04 desktop, open a firewall port 3389 for an incoming traffic: $ sudo ufw allow from any to any port 3389 proto tcp

How to establish Remote Desktop Access to Ubuntu from Windows?

Set Up Access Using SSH

Remote Access Using Remote Desktop Protocol The easiest option is to use Remote Desktop Protocol or RDP. ...
Connect to Ubuntu From Windows With VNC Another option with full remote desktop functionality is VNC (Virtual Network Computing). ...
Remote Desktop to Ubuntu With Commercial Tools

How to enable and use Ubuntu Remote Desktop?

Download and install the RealVNC viewer.
Launch VNC Viewer, and select File > New Connection.
This will open a dialog box for you to configure the connection to the Ubuntu system. Fill out the fields as follows:

How to enable RDP connection on Ubuntu desktop?

Connect in SSH to your VPS server
Install the xrdp package: sudo apt install xrdp -y
Add the user xrdp to the ssl-certs group so that he can access the file /etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key: sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert
Restart the xrdp service to take these changes into account: sudo systemctl restart xrdp

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Does Ubuntu allow remote desktop?

Ubuntu features a built-in remote desktop tool. This gives you total control over your desktop from any other computer or mobile device. You'll see what's on that screen and be able to move the mouse and even type! The remote desktop feature supports RDP and VNC and is built into Ubuntu by default.

How do I enable remote access in Ubuntu?

The first thing you need to do is to enable remote desktop sharing on Ubuntu. Open the system settings window by clicking on the tools icon in the top right corner of the screen. Then navigate to the Sharing tab in the left-hand menu in the system settings. By default, screen sharing is turned off on Ubuntu.

Can I remote desktop to Ubuntu from Windows?

All you need is the IP address of the Ubuntu device. Wait for this to install, then run the Remote Desktop application in Windows using the Start Menu or Search. Type rdp, then click on Remote Desktop Connection. With the app open, input the IP address in the Computer field.

How do I access my Linux desktop remotely?

To enable remote desktop sharing, in File Explorer right-click on My Computer → Properties → Remote Settings and, in the pop-up that opens, check Allow remote connections to this computer, then select Apply.

Is RDP better than VNC?

In general, Remote Desktop Protocol is known to be more functional and faster than VNC. However, both RDP and VNC can be the best option for different users with different purposes in mind.

How do I log into Ubuntu from Windows?

To connect from a Windows machine, download putty from HERE. and install under windows. Open putty and type in the Host Name or IP address for the Ubuntu machine.

How can I access my desktop remotely?

On your local Windows PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.

How can I connect to another computer using IP address in Ubuntu?

Start typing 'remote' and you'll have the 'Remote Desktop Connection' icon available. Click this, and you'll open up the RDC window, which, in its most basic form, will ask you for a computer name and display the 'Connect' button. You can now enter the IP Address of the Ubuntu PC – the 192.168.

How do I remotely access a Linux machine from Windows?

Connect to Linux Remotely Using SSH in PuTTYSelect Session > Host Name.Input the Linux computer's network name, or enter the IP address you noted earlier.Select SSH, then Open.When prompted to accept the certificate for the connection, do so.Enter the username and password to sign in to your Linux device.

How do I connect Ubuntu to Windows 10?

Move to Windows 10 host and open the Remote Desktop Connection client. ... Enter the Ubuntu's remote desktop share IP address or hostname. ... Click Yes when prompted by message: The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified . ... Enter the password of the remote Ubuntu user.More items...•

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop into Ubuntu 20.04 from Windows

From time to time I have received a black screen after initiating the remote connection to the Xrdp Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server. Although I’m not sure how to completely resolve this issue but logging out from the Ubuntu desktop prior to making a remote connection have solved it at least temporarily.

Xrdp BlackScreen

How to change IP address on router?

The solution is something called dynamic domain name system (DDNS). There are free DDNS providers you can use. The general process is: 1 You register with the DDNS provider and receive a static web address. 2 You configure your router to periodically contact your DDNS provider and inform it of its current IP address. 3 The DDNS system updates its record of your web address, so it points to your IP address. This means connection requests made to your web address are always forwarded to your current—and correct—IP address.

Why is encryption used in VNC?

Encryption is used to transfer and verify the password when a connection request is made. Whether the rest of the VNC traffic is encrypted depends on the capabilities of the VNC client. This is more of a concern on connections across the internet.

What does a router do to complete a VNC connection?

To complete the connection, the router must perform the port forwarding. Routers can send traffic that arrives on a specific port to a specific computer. Once they’ve been configured to send VNC traffic to a particular computer, all incoming VNC connection requests are directed to that computer.

What is screen sharing in Ubuntu?

Ubuntu’s Built-In “Screen Sharing” Is a VNC Server. When you make an SSH connection to a remote Ubuntu Linux computer, you get a terminal window interface. That’s perfectly fine for many tasks, such as system administration, and it has the advantage of being a lightweight connection.

What is port forwarding in Ubuntu?

So, the router on the remote network must be configured to forward VNC connection requests to the Ubuntu PC. This is a networking technique called port forwarding.

How to share screen on remote host?

How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Remote Host. These are the settings you make on the remote Ubuntu computer you’re going to connect to. On the system menu, click the Settings icon. In the “Settings” dialog, click “Sharing” in the side panel, and then click the “Sharing” toggle On. Click “Off” next to the “Screen Sharing” option, ...

How many characters are in a password?

It’s limited to eight characters, so make it as complex as possible. If you forget the password, you can always repeat these steps to reset it. After you’ve typed a password, close the “Screen Sharing” and “Settings” dialogs. Encryption is used to transfer and verify the password when a connection request is made.

Why Remote Connect to Ubuntu From Windows?

Alternatively, you might have an Ubuntu PC in one room, your Windows PC in another. Maybe you want to run updates on Ubuntu or access files.

How to connect to Ubuntu via RDP?

The first way is the easiest. Physically go to the Ubuntu machine, press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal, and input the command: ifconfig. Look for the "inet addr" against the connection you're currently using.

What protocol does RDP use?

RDP: this uses the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol, via the open source xrdp implementation.

What is the easiest way to connect to Ubuntu?

The easiest option is to use Remote Desktop Protocol or RDP. Built into Windows, this tool can establish a remote desktop connection across your home network. All you need is the IP address of the Ubuntu device.

How to find the Ethernet addr?

Look for the "inet addr" against the connection you're currently using. For instance, if you're on Wi-Fi, look for wlan0. If the computer is connected to the network for Ethernet, look for eth0 .

Can you use SSH on Ubuntu?

SSH is often disabled by default, however, so if it is not installed, you'll need to fix this. In short, it depends on which Ubuntu version you're using, and whether you've used SSH previously. Once installed via the terminal (sudo apt install openssh-server) you'll be able to make a remote connection.

Does tightvnc encrypt passwords?

By default, TightVNC will encrypt your password, but nothing else. This makes it insecure for connections over the internet. Fortunately, security can be enhanced, thanks to SSH and Xming.

How to enable remote desktop sharing in Ubuntu?

What is screen sharing in Ubuntu 18.04?

Screen sharing is baked into the operating system if you’re using the latest version of Ubuntu (18.04), so you just need to download and install remote desktop software on the computer you want to use for remote access. For this tutorial, we’ll use Remmina. This is free, open-source remote desktop software designed for Linux systems.

How to share Ubuntu desktop?

Does Remmina install remote desktop software?

Remmina will install all required packages for you to use the remote desktop software.

Can you disable encryption on Ubuntu?

Make sure the toggle is set to On for at least one network. (You will only see multiple network toggles if the computer has both wired and wireless networks set up.) Note that if you are planning to connect to a remote Ubuntu desktop from a Windows computer, you must disable encryption for remote connections.

Can you remotely control Ubuntu from another computer?

By following these steps, you’ll be able to remotely control one Ubuntu computer from another or from a Windows desktop. You can take control of a remote computer even without having someone present at the computer. It just needs to be turned on in order to make the connection.

Who is Michael Graw?

Michael Graw is a freelance journalist and photographer based in Bellingham, Washington. His interests span a wide range from business technology to finance to creative media, with a focus on new technology and emerging trends. Michael's work has been published in TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Business Insider, Fast Company, Salon, and Harvard Business Review.

What Ubuntu version is Zesty Zapus?

I have updated and tested this guide on an Ubuntu 17.04 (Zesty Zapus) desktop and Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

How to allow other users to view your desktop?

In the Desktop Sharing window, you can configure the remote desktop connection. If you want others to just see your desktop, but not be able to make changes, enable Allow other users to view your desktop only. If they should be able to change settings (e.g. repair your system if there are problems), enable Allow other users to control your desktop as well.

Who is Falko Timme?

About Falko Timme. Falko Timme is an experienced Linux administrator and founder of Timme Hosting, a leading nginx business hosting company in Germany. He is one of the most active authors on HowtoForge since 2005 and one of the core developers of ISPConfig since 2000.

Can you connect to Ubuntu Desktop from Windows?

If you plan to connect to the Ubuntu Desktop from Windows systems on your local network with RealVNC , then you might have to disable encryption for the connection with the following command:

Ubuntu 22.04 Remote Desktop from Windows 10 step by step instructions

First step is to install Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server xrdp on the Ubuntu 22.04 desktop. To do so execute the following commands: $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install xrdp

Closing Thoughts

In this tutorial, we saw how to configure a remote desktop connection from Windows 10 into Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish. Since Windows uses the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) for screen sharing sessions, it’s as simple as installing a compatible RDP client on Ubuntu, which happens to be xrdp in this case.

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop into Ubuntu 22.04 from Windows

What is XRDP in Windows?

Xrdp integrates parts of the RDP and X Windows systems to transmit the visuals and controls between client and system.

What is XRDP server?

Xrdp is a free and open-source alternative to the Microsoft RDP server that allows non-Windows operating systems. It delivers an entirely operational RDP-well-matched remote desktop experience. RDP will enable you to log into a remote machine and create actual desktop sessions in the same way you would on a local device.

What is XRDP in Ubuntu?

Xrdp is a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol that allows you to use a graphical interface to access your Ubuntu server from your local device . This post focuses on installing the Gnome Desktop environment, and Xrdp server to allow you to use the Remote Desktop client.

What is the default Ubuntu desktop environment?

In the Ubuntu Software Center, you may choose between a range of desktop environments. Gnome is the default environment for the recent Ubuntu versions. But if you’d like to install a desktop environment, this part of the article is exactly for you.

What port does XRDP listen to?

The Xrdp listens for user interfaces on port 3389, and you need to enable this port if you are going to use ufw.

Do you need to add XRDP to SSL?

You need to add the xrdp system user to the ssl-cert system group to allow the service using this file .

How to open remmina?

To open Remmina, press the super (Windows) key to start a search, then type: remmina. The package should be listed in the results. Find the icon to launch the software. A new Remmina Remote Desktop Client window will open. Click the + icon in the upper-left to create a new connection.

How to share a computer name?

Find the screwdriver/wrench icon to open the Settings page. Click the Sharing option. In the upper-right corner of the settings box, switch the settings to turn Sharing On. You will see the computer name.

How to authenticate using SSO?

Authenticate using a smart card or certificate store if possible: Leave unchecked. Click OK to save the connection. It should appear in the main window as a new connection icon, with the memorable name you chose.

What IP address to use for server?

Server: Use the IP address of the host system or a server name if you have one.

What is remote desktop?

Remote Desktop is a service that allows you to take over and use another computer remotely. In Ubuntu, it can be enabled on a graphical client machine to control a host machine. This feature is beneficial for users who are using a point-and-click interface or are not familiar with a command-line.

What is secure shell?

Secure Shell is an important protocol for anyone managing and controlling remote machines. This guide covers...

What does it mean when a notice pops up on your host?

With everything set, it takes over the system. A notice will pop up on the host system, notifying that another user is controlling the desktop. It will list the IP address from which you are connecting.