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Frantumn
Asked: 2020-10-14 05:47:23 +0800 CST

How to get the default desktop environment while using RDP

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I have a fresh install of Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 running on a server using VMware. I installed xrdp on it, and I can RDP to the OS without issue. However, the desktop environment I get is pure Gnome and not the customized Ubuntu windows and menu bar.

Why can't I see the default Ubuntu environment? Is it because it's not supported with RDP?

rdp xrdp 20.04

1 Answers

  1. If you have performed a manual xrdp installation and no post configuration actions, this would be an expected situation. To get the same look'n feel as your Ubuntu GNome Desktop with dock, you would need to perform some additional actions.

    Option 1 - Manual Option

    Try to create and populate the file ~/.xsessionrc with the following content

    export GNOME_SHELL_SESSION_MODE=ubuntu
export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=ubuntu:GNOME
export XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=/etc/xdg/xdg-ubuntu:/etc/xdg

    Please note that the .xsessionrc file is a hidden file (located in your home directory)

    This would be for a single user. If multiple users need to perform remote connection, each user would need to have this file created in their profile

    Option 2 - Automated install

    You can also use the xrdp-installer script that basically perform the installation of the software and perform some post configuration actions that would provide you the same look'n feel when remotely connected as the one you have when connected to local console

    the script and how to use it can be found here

    Hope this help Till next time See ya

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