How to Install Remote Desktop Xrdp on Ubuntu

Remote Desktop (Xrdp) is a free and open-source implementation of the Microsoft RDP server that enables operating systems other than Microsoft Windows to provide a fully functional RDP-compatible remote desktop experience. Install Remote Desktop using xRDP.

This tutorial will explain to you how to install and configure the Xrdp on Ubuntu 20.04.

Step 1: Log in to the server with Sudo access.

In order to install the Xrdp application, you need to login to the server with Sudo access to it.

ssh username@your_server_ip

Step 2: Install XRDP Packages

After login, you can update your package list for upgrades for packages that need upgrading, as well as new packages that have just come to the repositories with the below command

sudo apt-get update

After updates, Run the below command to install Xrdp on your server

sudo apt-get install xrdp

Once the Xrdp installation is finished successfully, its service will be started automatically. To verify the service status run the command:

sudo systemctl status xrdp

Step 3: Install your preferred desktop environment

To install XFCE Please use the below command

sudo apt-get install xfce4

#Optional
sudo apt-get install xfce4-terminal

Configurations to use preferred environment

After installation, configure XRDP to use XFCE environment with the below command

sudo sed -i.bak '/fi/a #xrdp multiple users configuration \n xfce-session \n' /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh

Step 4: Allow RDP port in Firewall

Post configuring, To connect with the RDP session you need to allow the port in the firewall which by default is closed. Run the below command to open the port in Ubuntu 18.04

If you have enabled UFW, Use the below command

sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp

If Iptables is running on your server, Use the below command

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3389 -j ACCEPT

sudo netfilter-persistent save

sudo netfilter-persistent reload

Step 5: Restart the Xrdp application

Restart once the Xrdp application to make sure all the above changes are reflected.

sudo /etc/init.d/xrdp restart

That’s it. You will now be able to connect to the server via RDP.

Conclusion

You should now be able to connect to the server via Xrdp. If you are using Linux as your Local desktop you can connect to the server via Remmina. If you are using windows as a local desktop, Windows users have an RDP connection application by default on their machines. To find it search for “Remote Desktop Connection” from the start menu.