Connect to a Windows PC from Ubuntu Remotely

A utility called Remmina let’s you connect an Ubuntu based desktop to a Windows PC by using RDP.

A useful feature of Windows is being able to connect to your Desktop from another location to remotely manage your computer. While this functionality is native in Windows, it is not supported by default in many Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. For connecting Linux with RDP there’s a  third party application called Remmina. Before you can use Remmina, first enable the Remote Desktop Connection feature on your Windows machine.

Step 1: Install a Remote Desktop Client on Ubuntu

Ubuntu doesn’t come with a remote desktop client which supports the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) used by Windows operating systems for remote connections. You need to install one of the clients available in the Ubuntu Software Center. First, start the Ubuntu Software Center.

Search for the words “remote desktop” and you will be shown all the available applications. Choose Remmina Desktop Client from the list and click install. You’ll be asked for your password. Type it and click Authenticate.

Step 2: Configure the Remote Desktop Session

It is time to start the Remmina Remote Desktop Client. Search your Ubuntu PC using the word remmina and click on the appropriate search result.

Step 3: Click the “Create a new remote desktop file” button.

Step 4: The Remote Desktop Preference window is opened. Here you can configure the remote connection you want to establish. In the Profile section, type the name you want to use for the connection. It can be anything you wish. Then, in the Basic tab, complete the IP address of the Windows computer in the Serverfield. Then, type the username and password you want to use to connect to the Windows computer. There you can turn the sound on or off, share printers, disable clipboard synchronisation, etc. If you experience lag when connected to a remote desktop, try reducing the color depth or resolution. If you want to share a folder existing on your Ubuntu computer with the Windows computer, simply check the Share folder box and select the folder you want to share from Ubuntu.

Step 5: You can also set the Resolution you want to use for the connection and the Color depth. Also, for more advanced settings, go to the Advanced tab.

Step 6: Once you are done making all the settings, click the Connect button. When connecting for the first time, a new certificate is created for the remote connection. Click OK to accept it.

After a while, if the Windows computer is turned on and connected to the same network, you should be connected to it.