Ubuntu Install Xrdp
- Xrdp is a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Server, allowing RDP clients to be presented an X windows desktop to the user. Simple setup with no user logged into console. This is a simple setup without using TLS and certificates. Also, it requires that no person is logged into the console when attempting to connect.
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To install xrdp and x11rdp on Ubuntu server, refer to the following steps but make sure that you are logged in as a root user. Sudo apt-get install xrdp sudo apt-get build-dep xserver-xorg-core. Xrdp is an open source Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) server that is available on most Linux distributions, and works well with xfce. Install xrdp on your Ubuntu VM as follows: sudo apt-get install xrdp sudo systemctl enable xrdp Tell xrdp what desktop environment to use when you start your session.
Install XRDP on Ubuntu 18.04. This is to allow Remote Desktop to a graphical session on Ubuntu Desktop.
9 Steps total
Step 1: Login to Ubuntu
Login to your Ubuntu Desktop environment.
Step 2: Open the Terminal
Press CTRL+ALT+T and open the terminal. Alternatively you need to open it from the bottom right application list and search for terminal.
Step 3: Update Ubuntu
Run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt dist-upgrade
Step 4: Install XRDP Package
Run the following command:
sudo apt install xrdp
Step 5: Setup the Xsession File for XRDP
Run the following command:
echo mate-session> ~/.xsession
Step 6: Install Mate-Core Package
Run the following command:
sudo apt-get install mate-core
Step 7: Allow RDP traffic through UFW Firewall
Run the following command
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
Step 8: Reboot the Device
Reboot Ubuntu by using the following command:
sudo reboot
Step 9: Test RDP by connecting through RDP
Connect via Remote Desktop on a Windows (Microsoft Remote Desktop Client) or through Remmina on Linux.

You should be able to install XRDP on your computer and have it up and running after the steps outlined.
References
- Remmina RDP Client
- Ubuntu XRDP Documentation
- XRDP Page
11 Comments
Ubuntu Install Xrdp
- Datildeanmoncaster Sep 7, 2018 at 08:44am
Yes this is brilliant!! THANK YOU
And your picture now looks normal! ;)
- ChipotleJon Sellors Sep 7, 2018 at 09:59am
Thanks for the headsup on this Daniel. Do you have any info on XRDP's support for RemoteApp or 'seamless mode'?
- Pure Capsaicindbeato Sep 7, 2018 at 10:39am
There is not support for remoteapps or seemless mode that I know with XRDP.
- Thai Pepperckcoder Sep 7, 2018 at 11:13am
Nice writeup, short & sweet.
If you want seamless with Ubuntu (or *nix in general) look at installing a local X server. I've used Xming in the past to run remote Linux applications on my Windows workstation seamlessly. If your local workstation is *nix, then you already have an X server running. Then you connect via SSH and tunnel the X traffic to the local X server. Works fairly well, but can be slow over the internet.
- TabascoJrx1216 Sep 7, 2018 at 06:40pm
Good write-up. I just have 2 small things to be picky about :p
1. You're suggesting an apt-get dist-upgrade when upgrading. I'd highly suggest only doing apt-get upgrade unless there are necessary packages not being upgraded for some reason, and even then, only if you're sure it won't break anything. sometimes a dist-upgrade can break compatibility (at least, in my experience)
2. This seems to be specifically for Mate desktop, which I'm a HUGE fan of, but I know not everyone is. Perhaps you could make a note that specifies they can also do this with Gnome?Again, good write-up. I'm just being picky here.
- Thai Peppersalsamanp Sep 7, 2018 at 09:15pm
Great write up. It's good having all of these commands in one handy dandy posting. I remember digging though a bunch of different sites for this same information for Ubuntu version 15ish.
Thanks for sharing Keyspan usa 19hs driver download windows 7. - Pure Capsaicindbeato Sep 7, 2018 at 09:27pm
Hi JRx1216,
The reason I do apt-get dist-upgrade is because it covers apt-get upgrade and kernel upgrades. If you don't want to do that, just do apt-get update and then apt-install.
Yes, this is specific to Mate Desktop as it cause problems with Gnome and I am reviewing why it would have done that. Then I can update this.
Thanks
- SonoraAmrit2022 Sep 10, 2018 at 04:46am
Last time I installed xrdp, it worked but never connected to session already logged on console rather it would start a new session.
Does anyone suffer from this issue ? - Datilianmacdonald3 Sep 10, 2018 at 04:49am
Warning: Running dist-upgrade will make sweeping changes to your system. You may even find that programs you rely on are no longer available.
Giving people with limited Linux knowledge this advice is irresponsible, especially as you don't say what it will do.
- Pure Capsaicindbeato Sep 10, 2018 at 07:55am
Ian, if you think that dist-upgrade is irresponsible then do make sure your kernels and packages are up to date. Without it for example you couldn't get the patches for Intel processors.
- ChipotleHighTechHick Sep 10, 2018 at 05:53pm
Thanks for this. I had tried a month or so ago with no success!