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How to Install Ubuntu Desktop and Connect via RDP or VNC

This guide explains how to transform your Linux VPS into an Ubuntu Desktop with a graphical interface, and how to connect remotely via VNC or RDP.

Order a Server​

For comfortable Ubuntu Desktop use, HostMyServers offers several options:

Prerequisites​

  • SSH access as root or user with sudo privileges
  • Ubuntu Server 20.04, 22.04 or 24.04 installed
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
  • Minimum 20 GB free disk space
  • Stable internet connection
UsageRAMCPUStorage
Light usage2 GB2 cores20 GB
Standard usage4 GB2-4 cores40 GB
Heavy usage8 GB+4+ cores60 GB+

Part 1: Installing Ubuntu Desktop​

System Update​

Connect to your VPS via SSH and update the system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Installing the Desktop Environment​

Install Ubuntu Desktop:

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
Note

Installation takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on your server's power and internet connection. Many packages will be downloaded (about 2-3 GB).

Minimal Installation (Alternative)​

If you prefer a lighter installation, you can install only the minimal GNOME desktop:

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop-minimal -y

Or choose a lighter desktop environment like XFCE:

sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop -y

Or LXDE (very light):

sudo apt install lubuntu-desktop -y

Server Restart​

Once installation is complete, restart your server:

sudo reboot

VNC offers better fluidity and a more optimized experience for Linux.

Installing TigerVNC Server​

sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-common -y

Configuring VNC Password​

Configure the password for VNC connection:

vncpasswd

Answer the questions:

Password: [enter your password]
Verify: [confirm password]
Would you like to enter a view-only password (y/n)? n
Tip

VNC password is limited to 8 characters. Choose a strong password.

Configuring VNC Server​

Create a configuration file for startup:

mkdir -p ~/.vnc
nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

Add the following content:

#!/bin/bash
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
exec startxfce4 &

For GNOME (standard Ubuntu Desktop), use instead:

#!/bin/bash
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
export XKL_XMODMAP_DISABLE=1
exec /usr/bin/gnome-session &

Make the file executable:

chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

Starting VNC Server​

Launch VNC server with remote access:

vncserver -localhost no

By default, VNC listens on port 5901 (display :1).

Check Status​

vncserver -list

Stop VNC Server​

vncserver -kill :1

Connecting to VNC Server​

  1. Download a VNC client:

    • Windows: RealVNC Viewer or TigerVNC
    • macOS: RealVNC Viewer or built-in VNC client
    • Linux: sudo apt install tigervnc-viewer or Remmina

  2. Connect to address: SERVER_IP:5901

  3. Enter the configured VNC password

Firewall Configuration for VNC​

sudo ufw allow 5901/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Automatic VNC Startup​

Create a systemd service to start VNC automatically:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@.service

File content (replace YOUR_USER with your username):

[Unit]
Description=TigerVNC Server for %i
After=syslog.target network.target

[Service]
Type=forking
User=YOUR_USER
Group=YOUR_USER
WorkingDirectory=/home/YOUR_USER
PIDFile=/home/YOUR_USER/.vnc/%H:%i.pid
ExecStartPre=-/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i > /dev/null 2>&1
ExecStart=/usr/bin/vncserver -localhost no :%i
ExecStop=/usr/bin/vncserver -kill :%i

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable vncserver@1.service
sudo systemctl start vncserver@1.service

Part 3: Connecting via RDP (Alternative)​

RDP is convenient if you use Windows as the client is built-in, but less optimized for Linux.

Installing xrdp​

sudo apt install xrdp -y

Configuring xrdp​

Add the xrdp user to the ssl-cert group:

sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert

Restarting xrdp Service​

sudo systemctl restart xrdp
sudo systemctl enable xrdp

Checking Status​

sudo systemctl status xrdp

Firewall Configuration for RDP​

sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Connecting to RDP Server​

From Windows​

  1. Open "Remote Desktop Connection" (mstsc.exe)
  2. Enter your server's IP address
  3. Click "Connect"
  4. Enter your Linux username and password

From macOS​

  1. Download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store
  2. Add a new PC with your server's IP
  3. Connect with your Linux credentials

From Linux​

sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp -y

Then launch Remmina and configure a new RDP connection.

Common RDP Troubleshooting​

Black Screen After Connection​

If you get a black screen, edit the startwm.sh file:

sudo nano /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh

Add these lines before the last lines of the file:

unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
unset XDG_RUNTIME_DIR

Then restart xrdp:

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

Slow Session​

To improve performance, reduce the resolution in RDP client settings or change color quality (16 bits instead of 32 bits).

VNC vs RDP Comparison​

CriteriaVNCRDP
Performance on Linux⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of installation⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Built-in Windows client❌✅
BandwidthMediumLow
Native securityMediumGood
Recommended forDaily useOccasional access
Recommendation

For regular Ubuntu Desktop use, we recommend VNC which offers better fluidity and better compatibility with the Linux environment.

Securing Connections​

To secure your VNC connection with an SSH tunnel:

  1. On your local machine, create the tunnel:
ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 user@SERVER_IP
  1. Connect via VNC to localhost:5901

This method encrypts the entire VNC connection.

Change VNC Port​

For more security, you can use a custom port:

vncserver -localhost no :2

This will create a VNC server on port 5902.

Limit Access by IP​

Configure UFW to only allow your IP:

sudo ufw delete allow 5901/tcp
sudo ufw allow from YOUR_IP to any port 5901 proto tcp
sudo ufw reload

Uninstallation​

Uninstall VNC​

sudo systemctl stop vncserver@1.service
sudo systemctl disable vncserver@1.service
sudo apt remove tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-common -y
rm -rf ~/.vnc

Uninstall RDP​

sudo systemctl stop xrdp
sudo systemctl disable xrdp
sudo apt remove xrdp -y

Uninstall Ubuntu Desktop​

sudo apt remove ubuntu-desktop -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

Troubleshooting​

VNC Won't Start​

  • Check logs: cat ~/.vnc/*.log
  • Check if port is already in use: ss -tlnp | grep 5901
  • Kill existing sessions: vncserver -kill :1

Cannot Connect​

  • Check firewall allows the port: sudo ufw status
  • Check service is running: vncserver -list
  • Test connectivity: nc -zv SERVER_IP 5901

Graphical Interface is Slow​

  • Reduce resolution in VNC/RDP client
  • Use a lighter desktop environment (XFCE, LXDE)
  • Increase VPS RAM
  • Check your connection bandwidth

Keyboard Not Working Correctly​

For keyboard layout issues, install:

sudo apt install console-data keyboard-configuration -y
sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

Then restart VNC server or xrdp.