This simple tutorial shows how to enable RDP remote desktop for extended screen in Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.04, and Ubuntu 23.10 with default GNOME desktop.

Since Ubuntu 22.04, the default GNOME desktop has built-in RDP support. The function has feature to share screen in ‘extend’ mode.

In this mode, Ubuntu won’t mirror the primary display, but create virtual extended screens for remote access.

Each remote connection is limited to its own virtual screen. You can drag and drop any app windows to that screen, allowing remote users to see and/or manipulate, while keeping sensitive data un-accessible in primary screen.

Or, you can use remote client PC/laptop’s monitor wirelessly to setup multiple screens for the Ubuntu machine. Though, operating in the virtual external monitors will be a bit laggy.

In the screenshot below, there are 2 machines connected to my Ubuntu PC via RDP remote desktop protocol. So, there are 2 virtual displays created. Each remote machine can access Ubuntu through its own virtual screen. While, user in front of Ubuntu can operate all the 3 screens (if 2 other monitors are sitting nearby).

Step 1: Enable RDP remote desktop

Firstly, open Settings and navigate to ‘Sharing‘. Then, click open ‘remote desktop’ configuration dialog. Enable that function and leave ‘Enable legacy vnc protocol’ disabled. Also, toggle remote control and setup password according to your need.

Step 2: Setting Screen Sharing Mode

Then, search for and install Dconf Editor (if you don’t have it) from Ubuntu Software.

Then, launch ‘Dconf Editor’ and navigate to /org/gnome/desktop/remote-desktop/rdp/screen-share-mode. Finally, turn off ‘Use default value’ and set Custom value to extend.

For those who are familiar with Linux command, this step can be done by opening terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and running a single command:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.remote-desktop.rdp screen-share-mode 'extend'

Finally, you can share your IP address, user and password you set in step 1 to your friends for accessing remotely.

In addition:

To access outside of home/local network, you need to setup either DMZ host or IP port forwarding (3389 in the case). The setting varies depends on your router, so I won’t cover it here.

Also, if you don’t plan to sit in front of the Ubuntu machine all the time, install the “Allow Locked Remote Desktop” could be useful to prevent connection lost due to screen lock.

To do so, install and open “Extension Manager” from Ubuntu Software. Then, use it to search and install the extension from ‘Browse’ tab.

As you may know, GNOME 42 adopted Microsoft RDP protocol for its built-in remote desktop feature. Ubuntu 22.04 Beta previously excluded it because of the bug due to mixed Gnome-control-center and Gnome-remote-desktop versions.

In recent updates, this feature is finally back. Users may now easily remote access to Ubuntu 22.04 desktop with the more secure and MS Windows friendly protocol.

Remote Ubuntu 22.04 desktop from Windows 11

Enable Remote Desktop in Ubuntu 22.04

1. Firstly, open system settings (Gnome Control Center) from the system tray menu.

2. Then navigate to ‘Sharing’ from left, and turn on the toggle icon on right-corner of app header. You can finally click “Remote Desktop” to enable the function and configure user, password, etc.

In my case, the first connection does not work until I re-start the remote-desktop service by running command (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal):

systemctl --user restart gnome-remote-desktop.service

Connect to Ubuntu 22.04 from Windows 10/11

With RDP protocol, Windows user can simply search for and open the built-in ‘Remote Desktop Connection’ app from start menu.

Then type the computer name or IP address of Ubuntu 22.04 to connect.

In the authentication dialog, make sure the username and password you typed are correct and finally hit Enter to connect.

Connect from another Ubuntu or other Linux PC:

From another Ubuntu/Linux PC, search for and open ‘Remmina‘ (or Connections for Fedora) from the Activities overview screen.

When it opens, select ‘RDP’ and type the IP address to connection.

Want to access your Ubuntu desktop remotely from a Windows 11 computer? It’s easy to do the job with built-in screen sharing function.

Ubuntu uses Vino as default VNC server to share your existing desktop. With it, users can access Ubuntu remotely either in or out of local network via a VNC client.

Enable Vino VNC in Ubuntu:

1. Firstly, click on ‘Activities’ in top bar, search for and open terminal from system app launcher. When it opens, run commands:

Make sure Vino is installed by running command:

sudo apt install vino

To allow computer outside of local network to access, enable upnp is your router support it:

gsettings set org.gnome.Vino use-upnp true

Vino requires encryption by default. However, VNC clients from Windows computer does not support the encryption type. So you may disable the feature via command:

gsettings set org.gnome.Vino require-encryption false

There are more settings, e.g., change listening port, disable background, lock on disconnect. And you can control them via Dconf Editor (install from Ubuntu Software), by going to ‘org -> gnome -> desktop -> remote access’.

2. Secondly, open System Settings and go to Sharing in the left pane. Toggle on the slider icon on header, and then click ‘Screen Sharing’ to go to its settings page.

3. Finally, turn on ‘Screen Sharing’ function, and do:

• Allow remote control by enabling “Allow connections to control the screen”
• Set ‘New connections must ask for access’ if you’re sitting at Ubuntu computer.
• Or set a hard-to-guess password for choice.
• If you have both wired / wireless network connected, choose one to share with.

Remove Access Ubuntu from Windows 11:

Windows uses need a VNC client to get access remote computers. And I use TigerVNC which is available to download at the link below:

Download & install the exe. Launch the client, and type either IP address or hostname of Ubuntu machine:

If password was not set in Ubuntu, it will pop up a window asking whether to allow access. Or, type password in next dialog to get access.

That’s all. Enjoy!