How to Set Up Remote Desktop Access From Windows to Ubuntu?

systemRemote Desktop from Windows helps to access a different operating system in Windows itself. Windows & Ubuntu operating systems can be used simultaneously with the help of Remote Desktop Access. Remote Desktop Access on Ubuntu from the Windows process will be discussed in this article by following simple steps on both Ubuntu & Windows.

Why Do We Use a Remote Desktop Connection?

There are many situations where we require remote desktop access of a computer system. Some of the cases are mentioned below.

• Remote Access: Enables accessing a computer from anywhere.
• File Retrieval: Access files and documents remotely.
• Tech Support: IT support resolves issues without physical presence.
• Collaboration: Multiple users work on the same project simultaneously.
• Resource Utilization: Use powerful software/resources remotely, saving local device resources.

Pre-Requisite to Establish Remote Desktop Access.

Before establishing the Remote desktop access on Ubuntu, you need to meet a few requirements :

• Enable Port Forwarding on the remote device’s router
• Find Ubuntu’s IP Address
• Install SSH on the Ubuntu box.

Let’s see how to do this quickly!

Enable Port Forwarding:

To access a remote Access on another network (e.g., your work network), you need to Enable Port Forwarding on the router where your Ubuntu PC is located.

1. Log into your router’s web interface using a web browser.
2. Look for the port forwarding section or NAT settings.
3. Create a new port forwarding rule for port 3389 (Remote Desktop’s default port).
4. Enter the local IP address of your Ubuntu machine.
5. Save the changes and restart the router if necessary to apply the configuration.

Find Ubuntu’s IP Address:

1. Launch the Terminal application on your Ubuntu machine.
2. Type ‘ ifconfig ‘ and press Enter to display network interface details.
3. Look for the IPv4 address associated with the network interface you are using (like eth0 or en0).

Install SSH:

1. Launch Terminal on your Ubuntu machine.
2. Type ‘sudo apt-get update‘ to update package lists.
3. Type ‘sudo apt-get install openssh-server‘ and press Enter.
4. Complete the installation process and set up SSH on your Ubuntu system.

How to Set Up Remote Desktop Access From Windows to Ubuntu?

Once you are equipped with all the prerequisites to establish Remote Desktop Access. You are ready to move on and start the actual process of Set Up Remote Desktop Access From Windows to Ubuntu.

Method 1: Get Remote Access Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

On the Ubuntu Operating System

Step 1: To develop Remote Desktop from Windows, first open the terminal open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) of Ubuntu & execute the following command in the terminal. It will help to install the XRDP application in Ubuntu that helps to combine different operating systems. It will take some time to install the application.

Command: sudo apt install xrdp -y

Step 2: After installation of the application, run the following two commands. One of the commands will help to start the application that is installed on the device. The second command will help to enable the application on the machine.

Commands:
sudo systemctl start xrdp
sudo systemctl enable xrdp

Step 3: After running the above commands, again execute the following command to show the status of the XRDP application. The status of the application is now running.

Command: sudo systemctl status xrdp

Step 4: At last, execute the following command in the Ubuntu terminal. It will provide configurational details of the machine. Find out the IP Address of the Ubuntu operating system.

Command: ifconfig

Hence, we have completed the operations required in the Ubuntu operating system.

On Windows Operating System

Step 1: To complete Remote Access Ubuntu from Windows, first open the Remote Desktop Connection in the Windows OS & provide the IP Address of the Ubuntu operating system. It will be the same operating system that was noted down earlier. After that, click on the Connect button.

Step 2: In the next tab, click on the Yes button present there to connect Ubuntu from Windows.

Step 3: Now provide the username & password. It will be the same username & password used to enter into the Windows operating system. If there is no password present in the Windows operating system, keep it blank here. Then click on OK to finish the operation.

Hence, we have completed the operations required to establish remote desktop access to Ubuntu From Windows

Method 2: Get Remote Access Using Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

Virtual Network Computing allows desktop sharing on computer network. So to connect your Windows to Ubuntu PC, follow these steps.

Step 1: Install VNC Server on Ubuntu:

• 1.   Open Terminal and type ‘sudo apt-get update‘.

sudo apt-get update

• 2.  Install the VNC server with ‘sudo apt-get install tightvncserver’.

sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

Step 2: Install VNC Viewer on Windows:

• Download and install a VNC Viewer application on your Windows computer.

Step 3: Start VNC Server on Ubuntu:

• Type ‘vncserver‘ in the Terminal and set a password.

vncserver

Step 4: Connect from Windows:

•    Open VNC Viewer on Windows.
•    Enter Ubuntu’s IP address and the password you set.
•    Click Connect to establish remote access to Ubuntu from Windows.

Method 3: Get Remote Access Using Third-party Software

Remote desktop Software allows you to connect and get remote access on computer in another location. You can easily control a connected PC via an internet connection with 2 simple steps.

Step 1: Install Software on Ubuntu and Windows:

•    Choose a tool like TeamViewer, NoMachine, or Chrome Remote Desktop
•    Go to their official websites and download the software for both Ubuntu and Windows.

Step 2: Launch the Software and Connect:

•    Open the software on both devices.
•    Enter the partner’s ID (displayed on Ubuntu) in the Windows software.
•    Click Connect to establish remote access from Windows to Ubuntu.

Just like this you can use any of the above-mentioned methods and can Set Up Remote Desktop Access from Windows to Ubuntu.