How to Enable Desktop Screen Sharing via VNC on Ubuntu Linux

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The post instructs on enabling remote access to Ubuntu desktop using the VNC protocol as it’s not available by default. It details how to activate screen sharing, select a remote access client, and set up the firewall to allow traffic. Furthermore, it specifies that Microsoft Remote Desktop Connections client is incompatible with Ubuntu, directing Windows…

This article explains how to enable desktop screen sharing with VNC on Ubuntu Linux.

Enabling desktop screen sharing via VNC on Ubuntu Linux allows users to access and manage their Ubuntu desktops remotely from other computers. This can be useful when someone needs to work from a different location but still needs access to their desktop.

By default, Ubuntu desktops have a screen-sharing feature that allows anyone to connect via VNC protocol. This tutorial explains enabling and connecting to it from other Ubuntu or Windows systems.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol isn’t available out of the box on Ubuntu. Instead, you can use third-party tools to enable it. However, if you want to connect to the Ubuntu desktop from Windows, you will want to install VNC clients.

Enable Remote Access to Ubuntu

Ubuntu machines, by default, have the protocol and server installed already. To enable remote access, log on to the desktop computer and go to System Menu ==> System Settings. as shown in the image below.

When the system settings page opens, go to Sharing ==> Enable sharing by sliding the button to the right, as shown in the image below.

When sharing is enabled, click the Screen Sharing option on the page and turn on Screen Sharing, as shown in the image below.

When you’re done, close out. Ubuntu sharing will be enabled. Now continue below to learn how to connect to Ubuntu from Windows.

Connect to Ubuntu via VNC

Now that Screen Sharing is enabled, choose the remote access client to connect to Ubuntu. For other Ubuntu systems, search for Remmina Remote Desktop Client. This is an open-source client that is probably installed on all Linux systems. Use it to connect to other Ubuntu desktops remotely.

You will want to use a VNC client to connect to the Windows system. Unfortunately, Microsoft Remote Desktop Connections won’t work here, so you must use VNC or other compatible remote connection clients to work with Ubuntu.

To enable access outside your local network, you must set up your firewall to forward the traffic to the Ubuntu desktop via a specific port number. Normally, port 5900.

You will also want to run the commands below to turn off remote sharing encryption. This feature creates problems for Windows machines while connecting.

sudo gsettings set org.gnome.Vino require-encryption false

When you’re done, please test it out. Find the Ubuntu desktop computer IP address and test. You can access the Ubuntu desktop remotely if everything is set up correctly.

This is how one enables Ubuntu remote desktop access.

Summary:

This post shows students and new users how to enable Ubuntu remote desktop access. Once enabled, users can connect remotely from other computers to the Ubuntu desktop. Of course, for Windows systems, folks will have to use VNC or other compatible VNC protocol clients.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connections client won’t work here.

Enjoy!

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