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Discover how to set up Remote Desktop access on Ubuntu and Debian servers to simplify management and control → Learn more now
Linux servers typically use a standard SSH console for management. However, in some cases, using a Remote Desktop connection is easier—similar to Windows.
Most Linux distributions support installing this feature afterward. This guide explains how to do it for Ubuntu and Debian.
Important: You must use at least Ubuntu 18.04.X LTS (Bionic Beaver) or Debian 10 (Buster) as the operating system. Newer versions are recommended.
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First, update the server:
// Debian
sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade -y
// Ubuntu
sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade -y
After updating, install the required packages:
// Debian
sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies xorg dbus-x11 x11-xserver-utils -y
// Ubuntu
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
Then install xRDP:
// Debian
sudo apt install xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo apt install xrdp
After installation, the status should show as "active":
// Debian
sudo systemctl status xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo systemctl status xrdp
If the status is correct, create a user. Then restart the xRDP service:
// Debian
sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert; sudo systemctl restart xrdp
// Ubuntu
sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert; sudo systemctl restart xrdp
After configuration, you can connect via Remote Desktop using the root or the respective user account on the server.
The default port is: 3389
Connect using any RDP tool with IP:PORT.
You will be prompted for login credentials:
After successful login, you will see the desktop.
The appearance differs slightly between Ubuntu and Debian:
Ubuntu:
Debian:
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