Enabling remote desktop on Windows
First of all, you must set up the computer you want to connect to so it allows remote connections. On the Windows machine you want to connect to, logged on with an administrator account, open the Start menu and click Settings. To do that, on the window that appears, open the System category, and then Remote Desktop. Finally, enable it:
Note that you can’t connect to computers running a Windows Home edition [for instance, Windows 10 Home]. This screen informs you, if that is the case:
Your Home edition of Windows 10 doesn't support Remote Desktop.
Source of the image: Digital Citizen
If you want more information about remote desktop on Windows, take a look at:
- How to use Remote Desktop - Windows Support
- Remote Desktop - Allow access to your PC - Microsoft Docs
Remmina
Remmina is a remote desktop client that supports many remote access protocols such as RDP, VNC, NX, XDMCP and SSH. It aims to be useful for system administrators and travellers, who need to work with lots of remote desktops and/or servers. Remmina is included in the Ubuntu Linux distribution and is its default remote desktop client.
To install Remmina on Linux Kamarada and openSUSE, run:
| 1 | # zypper in remmina remmina-plugin-rdp |
Once installed, to start Remmina, if you use the GNOME desktop environment, open the Activities menu, on the top-left screen corner, type remmina and click its icon:
To quickly start a remote access, select the RDP protocol, type the hostname or IP address of the computer you want to connect to [e.g. 10.0.0.251] and hit Enter:
If it’s the first time you connect to this computer, Remmina asks whether to trust its certificate, click Yes:
On the next screen, enter your User name and Password on the remote computer. Also inform the Domain, if necessary. Optionally, you can choose to Save password. Click OK:
You will see the remote computer’s desktop in the Remmina window:
From now on, you are using that computer, but remotely, without sitting in front of it. Each clicking and typing is sent to be processed on the remote computer.
If the remote computer is a Windows desktop, its screen is locked during remote access.
If you are going to access this computer often, consider saving the connection settings, so that remote access can be easily initiated. To do this, click the Create a new connection profile button on the top-left corner of the Remmina main window:
On the next screen, give a Name to identify the connection, select RDP in the Protocol field and enter the connection settings: Server, User name, User password and Domain [if necessary]. When you’re finished, click Save:
After that, the connection becomes listed on the Remmina main window:
When you want to remotely access that computer, just double-click it on the list.
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Install and configure xrdp to use Remote Desktop with Ubuntu
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Applies to: ✔️ Linux VMs ✔️ Flexible scale sets
Linux virtual machines [VMs] in Azure are usually managed from the command line using a secure shell [SSH] connection. When new to Linux, or for quick troubleshooting scenarios, the use of remote desktop may be easier. This article details how to install and configure a desktop environment [xfce] and remote desktop [xrdp] for your Linux VM running Ubuntu.
The article was writen and tested using an Ubuntu 18.04 VM.
Enable graphical remote desktop for Linux virtual machines in Azure Lab Services
- Article
- 10/21/2021
- 5 minutes to read
- 6 contributors
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In this article
This article shows you how to do the following tasks:
- Enable graphical remote desktop sessions for a Linux VM
- How to connect to a Linux VM using RDP [Remote Desktop Protocol] or X2Go remote desktop clients
Using RDP to Connect to a Windows Computer from Linux
Due to the unique circumstances at the college due to COVID-19, we have opened up computer labs that are normally available in-person for remote access. The terminal server [ts.cecs.pdx.edu] is not capable of handling the increased remote access demands of this situation, so we kindly request you use the lab computers where possible.
To learn more about this and to find a list of lab computers to connect with, read our guide with the following link:
//cat.pdx.edu/users/facilities/remote-labs/
Connect To Linux From Windows
A remote connection is more commonly defined by using software that allows someone to remotely control another machine [like a remote desktop to Linux from Windows, or a remote desktop from Linux to Windows]. Remote connections also allow users to access software, applications, and files, as well as to conduct system maintenance and troubleshooting resolution.
The methods outlined below work well for all Linux systems other than Ubuntu- which already has a built-in remote desktop tool that supports both RDP and VNC.
For the initial connection, ensure this feature is set up on the physical Ubuntu machine. After following the installation steps for the built-in Ubuntu-compatible option, further installation of any additional software won’t be necessary.
Linux Remote Desktop
We are going to focus on the specifics of using Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP] on Linux-based servers, i.a., client apps you get to choose from, and some nuances of using remote access tools for Linux in cross-platform environments.
Every user of Debian-derived Linux distribution knows that setting up Kali Linux remote access and successful use of remote desktop clients like TeamViewer or AnyDesk can be tricky at times. Mind that, for starters, you’ll need to download and install all the packages required to enable remote desktop Kali capabilities and update the ones you already have to the latest versions.
After that, you can either use a script to enable XFCE and RDP or do it manually [that takes more time but gives you much more control over the process]. This will be enough to access your Kali machine from any other device connected to your local network.
Accessing a remote desktop from Linux Mint machines, especially the configuration of the protocols, may seem overly complicated, but in reality, it’s nothing to be stressed about. For one, Linux Mint has a built-in desktop sharing tool available from the Main Menu. Enable remote access to a machine, and it will be available for connections via SSH terminal for everyone who knows this machine’s IP address. If the toolset provided by a standard remote access client isn’t enough, you can install a third-party client tool, like Vinagre or others, and enjoy localized GUIs, SSH tunneling, request listening option, and many more.
Accessing a remote Linux desktop from a Windows machine sharing a network can be done with just a few simple commands, or by installing easy-to-use software like RDP, Xrdp, Xfce4, TeamViewer, Gnome, Remmina, etc.
Note: Some remote access tools even allow you to access a remote printer or scanner.
Here’re some options to access a remote Linux desktop from a local Windows machine:
- • The “Obtain the IP Address” Method
- • The “RDP” Method
- • The “VNC” Method
- • The “SSH” Method
For those using devices that function over the same network, there are multiple open-source options that help users with remote desktop from Windows to Linux access.
The IP Address Method
Before initiating a Windows to Linux remote desktop connection, users will need to obtain the host machine’s IP address before doing anything else.
To find the IP address of the Linux host, log into the Linux machine, open Terminal, and type the following:
ifconfig
This command will display the Linux machine’s IP address. Users can also locate the IP address by connecting to the network’s router, then browsing the devices by their hostname. Use this information while operating your Windows computer to establish a remote connection.
The “RDP” Method
The simplest option to enable remote connections to Linux desktops is by using the remote access tool built directly into the Windows OS: Remote Desktop Protocol [RDP].
Users must install Xrdp software on their Linux machine to use RDP. Complete installation in person, or with the SSH command. Enter the command as shown below:
sudo apt install xrdp
After that, type “rdp” into the search function, then run the Remote Desktop software on the Windows computer.
From within the Remote Desktop Connection pop-up window, type the Linux computer’s IP address, then click connect.
Note: to manage advanced parameters configuration, click “Show Options”.
The “VNC” Method
Another remote desktop option to try is VNC [Virtual Network Connection]. Access a remote device using VNC by installing the dedicated software on both computers. One of the most beloved VNC remote access tools is TightVNC, which is also open-source.
Installing TightVNC can also be done in person or by using the SSH command.
Step 1: Enter the following command:
sudo apt install tightvncserver
Step 2: Users should then run using the command:
sudo tightvncserver
Step 3: Users must then set the desired password.
Step 4: Once the above steps are complete, start the client app on Windows [which can be downloaded from the TightVNC website].
Step 5: Type the IP address and port number in the TightVNC window on the Windows OS device.
Step 6: Hit “Connect”, then enter the password that was defined in the SSH command section above.
Use SSH
Even though Secure Shell won’t permit remote desktop connections, it’s still an excellent option for remotely installing the software needed to access a Linux desktop remotely. See below to learn how to do it.
Step 1: From the Windows computer, open the Power Menu.
Step 2: Choose “Windows PowerShell”.
Step 3: Type the following command:
ssh [IP_ADDRESS]
Step 4: After accepting the certificate, enter the appropriate username and password.
The connection is now established.
The options described above are excellent for small businesses, anyone working on a smaller network, or those who don’t need frequent access to a remote device.
Accessing Linux Desktops Remotely
Generally, a remote connection is defined as any software allowing you to remotely access a device from a geographical distance. More specifically, a remote desktop connection allows the user to control the host computer from any location. The remote connection gives the user remote access to files and software but also allows them to manage the system and troubleshoot issues on machines, not in close proximity. I’ll go through a few options for when you want to establish a remote connection with devices on the same network, and then I’ll look at some tools for remote access over the internet.
Here’s how to access a Linux desktop from Windows remotely:
When dealing with devices operating on the same network, a few simple, open-source approaches can be used to remotely access a Linux desktop from Windows machines.