Whether you need to allow employees to efficiently work from home or branch offices, or you want to facilitate troubleshooting tasks for the IT team, remote access is critical. For many IT support workers, providing remote support to users and remotely accessing devices has become an everyday necessity. Remote desktop connection for Linux systems from Windows machines can be easily achieved in different ways, and this article guides you through the main ones. I’ll also help you choose the best solution for what you need to achieve when trying to access Linux desktops remotely. My top picks for tools include SolarWinds® Dameware® Remote Support and SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere, for the flexibility and security they offer.
Accessing Linux Desktops Remotely
Generally, a remote connection is defined as any software allowing you to remotely access a device from a geographical distance. More specifically, a remote desktop connection allows the user to control the host computer from any location. The remote connection gives the user remote access to files and software but also allows them to manage the system and troubleshoot issues on machines, not in close proximity. I’ll go through a few options for when you want to establish a remote connection with devices on the same network, and then I’ll look at some tools for remote access over the internet.
Here’s how to access a Linux desktop from Windows remotely:
- Get the IP Address
- The RDP Method
- The VNC Method
- Use SSH
- Over-the-Internet Remote Desktop Connection Tools
When dealing with devices operating on the same network, a few simple, open-source approaches can be used to remotely access a Linux desktop from Windows machines.
1. Get the IP Address
Before everything else, you need the IP address of the host device—the Linux machine you want to connect to. Log in to your Linux device, open the terminal and enter:
ifconfigThis will display the device’s IP address. The IP address can also be found by connecting to the network’s router and browsing the devices by hostname. You can then use this information from the Windows machine to connect.
2. The RDP Method
The easiest way to set up a remote connection to a Linux desktop is to use Remote Desktop Protocol, which is built into Windows.
For this to work, you need to install xrdp software on your Linux machine. This can be done either in person or by using SSH (see below) by entering the command:
sudo apt install xrdpOnce this is done, type “rdp” in the search function and run the Remote Desktop software on your Windows machine. In the Remote Desktop Connection window, enter the IP address of the Linux machine and click connect. Click “Show Options” to select advanced parameters.
3. The VNC Method
To remotely access a device through Virtual Network Connection, you’ll need to install dedicated software on both the Linux and Windows machines. One of the most popular open-source choices for this is TightVNC.
Again, this can be installed on your Linux system either in person or through SSH by entering the command:
sudo apt install tightvncserverThen run it using:
sudo tightvncserverand set a password.
Once you have done this, run the client app on Windows (available on the TightVNC website), and enter the IP address and port number in its window. Click connect and enter the password you set.
4. Use SSH
While Secure Shell doesn’t allow remote desktop connections, it’s still a great way to access your Linux machine to install the software necessary to access a Linux desktop remotely. To do this, in your Windows machine, select Windows PowerShell in the Power Menu and enter:
ssh [IP_ADDRESS]Accept the certificate and input the username and password. You are now connected.
The approaches explained above are valid for all Linux systems except Ubuntu, which provides a built-in remote desktop tool supporting both RDP and VNC. Make sure you set up this feature on the physical Ubuntu machine the first time, and you won’t need to install anything else.
5. Over-the-Internet Remote Desktop Connection Tools
The solutions above will work easily for devices operating on the same network. However, when your devices are located on different networks, things get complicated quickly. If you’re looking to remotely access a Linux machine from anywhere, at any time, and without having to deal with firewalls and port forwarding, the best solution is to use a software designed to provide remote connection over the internet. These types of software allow for more complex functions and are ideal for traveling or providing remote IT support to product users. These are my top choices for tools for accessing Linux desktop from Windows remotely.
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS) is an affordable and user-friendly remote support software with several advanced features. DRS allows you to initiate remote connections over the internet, by using a Proxy server and without a VPN. You can remotely access devices running a Linux system (as well as many other operating systems) located anywhere, including sleeping or powered-off machines. You can also manage operations such as remote troubleshooting, remote Active Directory management and administration, and exporting Active Directory objects and system configurations.
This easy-to-use interface offers built-in utilities to help IT technicians during remote sessions. This includes features such as screenshot capture, in-session chat, and file transfer. Furthermore, DRS can be easily used “on the go” from Android and iOS devices. You can try out a free trial of DRS here.
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere (DRE) is a cloud-based remote support software offering most of the features available in DRS, plus some unique features. In DRE, you can record remote sessions and create reports that can subsequently be used to search and review remote sessions histories. In addition, sessions can be transferred between technicians, and DRP and Port forwarding are both supported. The Alerts and Monitoring feature enables real-time alerts for all connected devices and provides advanced monitoring of system health status. Finally, on the user-end experience side, DRE offers the possibility for pre-session and in-session chats, the ability to send a session link via email, and customizable surveys. A free trial of DRE is also available here.
Get Started Accessing Linux Desktops From Windows
With just a few easy commands and installing some basic software, DRP and VCN will let you access the desktop of a Linux machine from a Windows machine running on the same network. These options can be good for smaller networks and small businesses and when you have to access a machine infrequently.
On the other hand, for more complex requirements—like remote access while traveling or for IT support—a dedicated tool is the best solution. I recommend a tool like SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support or SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere. If you are running a large enterprise and are looking for remote access tools designed to provide comprehensive support, DRS and DRE are excellent options.