How to Get Remote Desktop Access From Windows to Ubuntu

If you are working on two desktops at a time and both run on different operating systems, then there could be a problem in transferring files and connecting both of them for office work or other essential purposes. But if you urgently need to connect both your desktop to log into your home computer or run updates on Ubuntu or transfer data, you can set up a remote desktop connection.

Here, we are going to learn how to set up Remote Desktop Access on Ubuntu from Windows. But first, you will need to enable Port Forwarding on the remote device’s router and find its IP address. Then install SSH.

There are three methods to get the remote control with an Ubuntu machine that runs the default desktop, and those are:

• Virtual Network Computing
• Remote Desktop
• Third-Party Remote Desktop Software

As mentioned above, you will have to establish a few connections and steps before starting with the remote controlling feature.

Find Ubuntu PC’s IP Address

You can use either of the two methods mentioned below to establish a connection on your Ubuntu device over Remote Desktop or VNC.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T key to open the terminal.
2. Insert ‘ifconfig’ command and locate ‘inet addr.’

Or follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your router’s admin console and locate the connected devices.
2. Tap on your Ubuntu device name, and you will find its IP address. Save that address to use later.

Enable port forwarding

Once the router’s IP address is established, use the ip r command with grep to specify the default.

1. Insert ‘ip r | grep default’ command.
2. You will require your IP address to insert it in your browser to display the router’s admin console.

Once it’s done, use these steps to enable port forwarding:

1. Find Port Forwarding Settings and create a New Rule labeled as Remote Desktop.
2. Set both your Internal Port and External Port number to 3389.
3. Insert the IP Address and click on the Save button.

Set up SSH

To save some time, you can use PuTTY on your PC or try the built-in Windows SSH function. SSH is not a complete remote desktop option, but it will provide you some of the remote tools and connections depending on the version of the Ubuntu device you use. After installing it, you will have to enter the IP Address and your Ubuntu device’s Username and Password. It works as a bridge to help you install the tools you need for VNC and RDP.

With this, you will be prepared to begin establishing the remote access to your Ubuntu desktop. In the following guide, you will find the steps to use Remote Desktop Protocol and Virtual Network Computing.

Remote Desktop Protocol

It is one of the most uncomplicated tools that you can use to establish a remote desktop connection across your home network. It only requires your Ubuntu device’s IP address. If you are using the pre-installed software on Windows, you will have to install the xrdp tool on Ubuntu PC. To install it,

1. Open the Terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T, then enter “sudo apt install xrdp” command.
2. Then continue your command by writing “sudo systemctl enable xrdp”

After installing it, run the Remote Desktop app on Windows PC from the Start menu. Then enter the IP address in the computer field and click on Show Options and enter the Username of your Ubuntu PC. Hit the Save button and click on Connect to start the Connection between both the PCs.

Virtual Network Computing

VNC requires a client application to function on your Windows PC, and it also uses a server on Ubuntu.

1. Use the “sudo apt update” command to check for the updates before installing the TightVNC service.
2. Enter “sudo apt install tightvncserver” to install the server utility.
3. Then use “sudo tightvncserver” to run the application.

When you are required to set a password for the Connection, make sure that you note down the desktop number ‘1’ accurately. Once the TightVNC server is installed on your Ubuntu, you will have to install the client on Windows. Once you have installed all the tools, locate TightVNC Viewer on your Windows PC’s search box. Insert the IP address and desktop number (1) of Ubuntu on the box for Remote Host.

You will notice that the TightVNC encrypts your password, which makes your Connection vulnerable over the internet. But you can enhance the security using SSH and Xming tools. You will have to install Xming tool on your Windows from the Sourceforge. After installing it, follow this set-up procedure:

1. Give a right-click on the desktop to open Properties.
2. Go to the Shortcut tab and click on the Target field.
3. Enter “C:\Program Files (x86)\Xming\Xming.exe” :0 -clipboard -multiwindow” command.
4. Hit the Apply button and click OK.
5. To run this program, double-click on the icon and open PuTTY.
6. From the menu given on the left-hand side, click on Connection, and select SSH, then go to X11.
7. Check the box for Enable X11 Forwarding, and go back to Sessions on the menu page.
8. Enter the IP address for the remote device and click on the Open button.

Both of the above-mentioned methods are great for accessing the remote desktop. However, we will recommend you to use Remote Desktop Protocol as it uses Windows Remote Desktop Protocol through open-source xrdp implementation. Virtual network computing is also an excellent method to gain access, but it requires additional steps to make it more secure and

Mia Watson is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at Blogs Book, and a professional cyber security analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world.

Source: https://geeksblog.uk.com/how-to-get-remote-desktop-access-from-windows-to-ubuntu/