GNOME offers a clean, powerful interface that works perfectly with Ubuntu. Running a desktop environment on your server makes management easier and more visual. In this guide, you’ll learn how to run GNOME or an Ubuntu desktop server quickly and efficiently.
Server Prerequisite to install desktop environment on Ubuntu 22.04,
an special VDS or cloud server by Vccl hosting with
4 Cores CPU and 8 gb ram and 100gb disk storage.
This installs the same GNOME desktop used in Ubuntu Desktop editions.
1. Update the system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2. Install the full GNOME Desktop
sudo apt install gnome-session gnome-shell gnome-control-center gnome-terminal
OR
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop -y
if package update required then run the below command
dpkg –configure -a
3. Reboot
sudo reboot
After reboot you’ll get the GNOME login screen (GDM).
You can access the desktop via VNC or install and use XRDP
Image: Ubuntu desktop environment
To install xrdp via ssh follow below commands
sudo apt install xrdp -y
Enable & start XRDP:
sudo systemctl enable xrdp
sudo systemctl start xrdp
Check XRDP status:
systemctl status xrdp
You should see active (running).
Open Firewall Ports
XRDP listens on 3389.
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
sudo ufw reload
If using ubuntu Server → open port 3389 in cloud firewall also.
Connect from Windows / Mac
On Windows:
- Open Remote Desktop Connection
- Enter server IP → Connect
- Username = your Ubuntu username
- Password = your user password
You will land inside GNOME Desktop.
For more information you can visit our xrdp blog also.
Read Related: Run Gnome or Ubuntu desktop server Unable to Ping 8.8.8.8 on ubuntu server : Run Gnome or Ubuntu desktop server