How to Remotely Access Ubuntu from Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

The ability to remotely access a Ubuntu machine from a Windows 10 system unlocks a world of possibilities, from managing servers to seamlessly working between different operating systems. There are several well-established methods to achieve this, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The primary and most secure way involves using Secure Shell (SSH). You’ll enable the SSH server on your Ubuntu machine, and then use an SSH client like PuTTY or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on your Windows 10 system to connect. Alternatively, you can use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) using XRDP on Ubuntu if you need a full graphical interface. Finally, Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is another graphical option, providing a slightly different implementation than RDP.

Establishing an SSH Connection

Preparing the Ubuntu Server

First, you need to install and enable the OpenSSH server on your Ubuntu machine. Open a terminal window on Ubuntu and execute the following commands:

sudo apt update sudo apt install openssh-server sudo systemctl enable ssh sudo systemctl start ssh sudo ufw allow ssh #if UFW is enabled 

• sudo apt update updates the package lists.
• sudo apt install openssh-server installs the OpenSSH server package.
• sudo systemctl enable ssh ensures that the SSH server starts automatically on boot.
• sudo systemctl start ssh starts the SSH server immediately.
• sudo ufw allow ssh (if UFW – Uncomplicated Firewall – is enabled) allows SSH traffic through the firewall.

To verify that the SSH server is running correctly, use the command:

sudo systemctl status ssh 

This command will show you the status of the SSH service, including whether it’s active and running. Also, determine the Ubuntu machine’s IP address using the command:

ip addr show 

Look for the inet address associated with your network interface (e.g., eth0 or wlan0). This is the IP address you’ll use to connect from Windows.

Connecting from Windows using PuTTY

PuTTY is a free and popular SSH client for Windows. Download and install it from the official PuTTY website. Once installed, launch PuTTY and follow these steps:

1. In the “Host Name (or IP address)” field, enter the IP address of your Ubuntu machine.
2. Ensure the “Port” is set to 22 (the default SSH port).
3. Select “SSH” as the connection type.
4. Click “Open”.

You may see a security alert the first time you connect; this is normal. Accept the alert to continue. You’ll then be prompted for your Ubuntu username and password. Once you enter these credentials, you’ll be logged into your Ubuntu system through the SSH terminal.

Connecting from Windows using WSL

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows. If you have WSL installed, you can use its built-in ssh command:

1. Open a WSL terminal (e.g., Ubuntu or Debian).

2. Type the following command, replacing username with your Ubuntu username and ip_address with the IP address of your Ubuntu machine:

   ssh username@ip_address 

You’ll be prompted for your Ubuntu password. Once entered, you’ll be logged into your Ubuntu system through the SSH terminal within WSL.

Setting Up RDP Access with XRDP

For a graphical interface, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a great solution. Ubuntu doesn’t natively support RDP, so you’ll need to install XRDP, an open-source RDP server:

sudo apt update sudo apt install xrdp sudo systemctl enable xrdp sudo systemctl start xrdp sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert # Add xrdp user to the ssl-cert group sudo systemctl restart xrdp sudo ufw allow 3389 #if UFW is enabled 

• sudo apt update updates the package lists.
• sudo apt install xrdp installs the XRDP server package.
• sudo systemctl enable xrdp ensures that the XRDP server starts automatically on boot.
• sudo systemctl start xrdp starts the XRDP server immediately.
• sudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert Adds the xrdp user to the ssl-cert group to ensure the proper rights.
• sudo systemctl restart xrdp Restarts the service for the changes to take effect.
• sudo ufw allow 3389 (if UFW is enabled) allows RDP traffic through the firewall on port 3389.

After installation, open the Remote Desktop Connection application on your Windows 10 machine. Enter the IP address of your Ubuntu machine and click “Connect.” You’ll be presented with an XRDP login screen. Enter your Ubuntu username and password to access your Ubuntu desktop graphically.

Using VNC for Remote Access

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is another graphical remote access option. It allows you to view and control your Ubuntu desktop from Windows.

Installing and Configuring VNC Server on Ubuntu

First, install a VNC server on your Ubuntu machine. A popular choice is TigerVNC:

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

After installation, set a VNC password:

vncpasswd 

You’ll be prompted to enter and confirm a password. Note that this password is for the VNC connection, not necessarily your Ubuntu user password. Then, start the VNC server using the command:

vncserver 

This will start the VNC server on a display number (e.g., :1). The first time you run it, it will create the ~/.vnc/xstartup file which you need to edit to properly launch a desktop environment. Shut down the server using vncserver -kill :1 (replace :1 if your display number is different).

Edit ~/.vnc/xstartup file (e.g., using nano ~/.vnc/xstartup):

#!/bin/sh  unset SESSION_MANAGER unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS  [ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup [ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources  #xsetroot -solid grey vncconfig -iconic &  # start XFCE4 session startxfce4 & 

This example configures TigerVNC to start the XFCE4 desktop environment. Install XFCE4 if you don’t have it: sudo apt install xfce4. Adjust if you are using a different desktop environment.

Finally, start the VNC server again:

vncserver 

Configure your firewall to allow VNC traffic:

sudo ufw allow 5901 #For display :1 

Connecting from Windows with a VNC Client

Download and install a VNC client on your Windows 10 machine, such as TightVNC or RealVNC. Launch the VNC client and enter the IP address of your Ubuntu machine, followed by the display number (e.g., 192.168.1.100:1). Enter the VNC password you set earlier to connect to your Ubuntu desktop.

FAQs: Remotely Accessing Ubuntu from Windows 10

1. Is SSH the most secure method for remote access?

Yes, SSH is generally considered the most secure method because it encrypts all traffic between the client and server, protecting your data from eavesdropping.

2. How can I improve the security of my SSH connection?

Several techniques can improve SSH security, including using SSH keys instead of passwords, disabling password authentication, and using a strong password or passphrase for your SSH key. Changing the default SSH port (22) can also help.

3. What is the purpose of the ufw allow ssh command?

The ufw allow ssh command configures the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) to allow incoming traffic on the SSH port (usually port 22). Without this, the firewall would block SSH connections.

4. I’m having trouble connecting with PuTTY. What should I check?

First, verify that the SSH server is running on your Ubuntu machine using sudo systemctl status ssh. Then, check that the IP address you’re using in PuTTY is correct. Ensure that your firewall isn’t blocking port 22. Also, verify that your username and password are correct.

5. What are the advantages of using RDP over SSH?

RDP provides a full graphical desktop experience, making it suitable for tasks that require a graphical user interface. SSH is primarily a command-line interface.

6. How can I improve the performance of RDP over a slow network?

You can improve RDP performance by reducing the color depth, disabling visual effects like desktop composition, and reducing the screen resolution. Also, ensure you have sufficient bandwidth and low latency on your network.

7. Is XRDP secure?

XRDP itself does not encrypt traffic by default. To secure XRDP, you should tunnel the RDP connection through an SSH tunnel. This encrypts the RDP traffic, protecting it from eavesdropping.

8. What are the differences between RDP and VNC?

RDP typically offers better performance and integration with Windows than VNC. RDP manages sessions independently of the physically logged-in user. VNC generally shares the current graphical session. VNC also tends to be more cross-platform compatible.

9. Why am I getting a black screen when connecting via RDP?

This can be caused by several issues, including problems with the desktop environment or graphical drivers. Try restarting the XRDP service (sudo systemctl restart xrdp). It can also be a permission issue, so make sure the xrdp user is part of the ssl-cert group as explained above.

10. How do I uninstall XRDP?

To uninstall XRDP, use the command: sudo apt remove xrdp. Then, you can remove the XRDP configuration files with sudo apt purge xrdp.

11. VNC is very slow. How can I improve performance?

VNC performance can be improved by using a faster VNC server and client, reducing the color depth, and ensuring you have a good network connection. Using a lightweight desktop environment on the Ubuntu server can also help. Furthermore, confirm that your Ubuntu graphics drivers are properly installed and working.

12. How can I automatically start the VNC server on Ubuntu boot?

You can create a systemd service to automatically start the VNC server on boot. Create a service file, for instance, /etc/systemd/system/vncserver@.service, with appropriate configuration, ensuring the correct user and display number is set. Then, enable and start the service using sudo systemctl enable vncserver@:1 (replace :1 with your display number).

By mastering these techniques, you’ll unlock seamless remote access from your Windows 10 machine to your Ubuntu system, enhancing your productivity and flexibility. Remember to prioritize security and adjust the configurations to suit your specific needs and network environment.