How to Access Ubuntu via Remote Desktop from Windows?

Establishing a connection between a Windows machine and an Ubuntu desktop can help you remotely access and control your Ubuntu system. This connection allows you to run commands, access files, or troubleshoot issues. Remotely accessing Ubuntu via desktop from Windows saves you effort and time. If you are wondering how to access Ubuntu via Remote Desktop from Windows, then you are in the right place!

Reasons to Connect Ubuntu via Remote Desktop from Windows

You may need to connect to an Ubuntu desktop for several reasons.

You are away from the office and want to log into your computer that is remotely located.
You may have an Ubuntu PC in one room and a Windows PC in another.
You may plan to execute updates on Ubuntu.
To run an Ubuntu server for a website, data, or a game.

Prerequisites

Before discussing how to access Ubuntu via remote desktop from Windows, let’s first examine the preparations and software requirements.

Preparations before accessing Ubuntu via remote desktop:

Enable port forwarding on the router of the remote device
Search for the IP address
Install SSH

Here is the list of software requirements:

Ubuntu 20.04 installed or upgraded version of Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa
Access to the Linux system through the sudo command or as root

Methods to Remotely Access Ubuntu via Remote Desktop from Windows

You can establish this remote connection using one of the three methods listed below.

Connect to Ubuntu From Windows With VNC
Remote Access Using Remote Desktop Protocol
Using Third-Party Tools

Let's look at the three methods one by one:

Method 1. Connect to Ubuntu From Windows With VNC

This method to access Ubuntu via remote desktop provides you full remote desktop functionality. VNC (Virtual Network Computing) needs a server on Ubuntu and a client application on your Windows PC. Follow the following steps:

Step 1: On your remote desktop, you need first to install the TightVNC Server component once you have checked for the updates. Run the following command on PowerShell:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Run the below command to install the server utility:

sudo apt install tightvncserver

Step 3: Now run the TightVNC Server using the following command:

sudo tightvncserver

Step 4: This step requires you to set a preferred password for establishing the connection. You must note down this desktop number (usually 1).

Step 5: After the TightVNC Server is installed on Ubuntu, you have to install the client on your Windows machine. For that, you need to download TightVNC. Ascertain that you download the correct version.

Step 6: Once installed, navigate for TightVNC Viewer in the Windows search.

Step 7: After launching the viewer, you need to enter the IP address of the Ubuntu box in the Remote Host and follow it with the desktop number, for example, 192.168.0.99:1.

Step 8: Enter the previously set password when requested.

Method 2. Remote Access Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

The simplest solution for how to access Ubuntu via remote desktop from Windows is to use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). It allows users to set up safe connections to remote desktops over a network. In this method, you only need the IP address of the Ubuntu device to create a remote desktop connection between the Windows machine and Ubuntu.

Prerequisites to access Ubuntu via remote desktop using RDP:

A client Windows machine equipped with network connectivity
A host machine having either Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 20.04 installed
Root or sudo privileges on the host machine

Step 1: The tools required to accomplish this method are already installed on Windows. However, you must install the xdrp tool on Ubuntu. To do so, open a terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T and enter the below command.

sudo apt install xrdp -y

Step 2: Now, enter the below command to check the status of the RDP server.

sudo systemctl enable xrdp

Step 3: After installation completes, run the Remote Desktop application on your Windows machine. You can do that from the Search bar or via the Start Menu. In the search bar, type RDP and click on Remote Desktop Connection. In the app that opens up, enter the IP address being asked in the Computer field.

Step 4: Click on Show Options and mention the Username for that Ubuntu PC. Note: If you want to reuse these settings later, click on Save.

Step 5: Click on Connect to establish the connection. Enter the Ubuntu account password when asked. Subsequently, the established connection will provide you full remote access to the Ubuntu desktop.

Method 3. Using Third-Party Tools

This method to access the Ubuntu desktop remotely helps you when you don’t intend to access your router. Third-party commercial tools help you with remote desktop access when needed. Examples of some of these tools you can try include NoMachine, Chrome Remote Desktop, or TeamViewer. With any of these tools, you can conveniently access Ubuntu through a remote desktop from Windows by following these steps.

Step 1: Go to the official website of your preferred third-party commercial tool and download it for Windows and Ubuntu.

Step 2: To launch the installed software and establish a connection, follow these steps:

Open the installed software on both of your devices.
Enter the ID of the partner’s ID (shown on Ubuntu) into the Windows software.
Click “Connect” to set up remote access from your Windows machine to Ubuntu.

Conclusion

Accessing the Ubuntu desktop remotely from Windows streamlines remote management and collaboration in Ubuntu and other operating systems, too. Following the steps of any of your preferred methods out of the three, either through RDP or third-party tools, you can establish an efficient and secure remote connection. Subsequently, you can easily control Ubuntu systems from your Windows machine.