Learning

Linux for Starters: Your Guide to Linux – Remote Desktop to Windows from Ubuntu – Part 19

Last Updated on May 22, 2022

Create connection in Remmina

You’ll need the IP address of the Windows computer. There are many ways of finding the IP. One of the easiest is to open the Start Menu in Windows, type CMD. This will launch a Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and look for the IPv4 Address line. Make a note of the IP address.

Go to Remmina (in Linux) and enter that IP address in the box next to RDP. Press Enter and click Yes to accept certificate. A dialog box titled Enter RDP authentication credentials will appear. In that dialog, enter the Username and Password for the account on the Windows machine, and press OK.

The Windows desktop will appear.

Linux for Starters - Windows remote desktop
Click image for full size

Create Connection Profile

Remmina provides a tabbed user interface. The top left icon lets us create a remote connection profile. Here we can enter (and save) the connection details including username, password, resolution, network connection type, and more.

Linux for Starters - Remmina - Remote Connection Profile
Click image for full size

By default sound is disabled, but this can be enabled in the Advanced tab.

Once you save the connection, it’ll be available when you next start up Remmina.

Linux for Starters - Remmina - Saved Connection

Security Considerations

Here’s a few important details:

  • Microsoft disable PIN login for RDP for security reasons.
  • Using Remote Desktop is still a big security risk without strong passwords and limited access.
  • It’s therefore recommended that you disable remote desktop connections and block related services in your firewall when you are not using Remote Desktop.
  • If you only access the remote desktop over a local network, restrict Remote Desktop to local IPs.

Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction / Remmina
Page 2 – Configure Windows PC
Page 3 – Create Connection in Remmina


All articles in this series:

Linux For Starters: Your Guide to Linux
1What is Linux? Why use Linux? What do I need?
2Choose a Linux distribution meeting your specific needs and requirements.
3Make a bootable Ubuntu USB stick in Windows.
4We show you how to install Ubuntu 21.04 on your hard disk.
5Things to do after installing Ubuntu.
6Navigating your way around the Desktop.
7Updating the system, install new software.
8Open source replacements for proprietary Windows desktop software.
9Get started with the power and flexibility of the terminal.
10We cover the basics of files and permissions.
11Getting help from your system.
12Learn all about the file system.
13Manipulating files from the shell.
14Maintain your system with these simple tips.
15Managing users on your system.
16Explore different desktops to GNOME 3.
17Gaming on Linux.
18Protect your privacy with this guide.
19Access the Windows desktop from Linux using a remote desktop client.
20Set up a virtual machine running Ubuntu as the host and openSUSE as the guest.
21Wine lets you run Windows programs on Linux without emulation.
22Extend your GNOME desktop with extensions and themes.
XUseful Linux commands.
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7 Comments
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AVirm
AVirm
3 years ago

What about the other way round – Windows machine remote desktoping to Ubuntu?

Richard
Richard
3 years ago

Sadly this don’t work when you have to login with a windows pin code.

Kelvin
Kelvin
3 years ago
Reply to  Richard

Microsoft disable PIN for RDP as its extremely vulnerable to hackers.

Meite
Meite
3 years ago
Reply to  Richard

One solution is to disable PIN login, log into the Windows machine using a regular username and password. Then re-enable PIN. Remote connection should still keep working with the previous credentials.

merb0781
merb0781
3 years ago
Reply to  Richard

The solution is simple: Switch the login method from PIN to password.

Richard
Richard
3 years ago

@AVirm if it’s your desktop, then try to setup xrdp, but if that is a server, then learn to use ssh and ansible.