How to Access an Ubuntu Server GUI on GCP Using Windows 10 RDP

Introduction: In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through setting up an Ubuntu server on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with a graphical desktop environment. You’ll learn how to create a Compute Engine instance, install a lightweight desktop (XFCE), configure XRDP for remote access, and finally, connect via Windows 10’s Remote Desktop. Let’s break it down into easy-to-follow steps. Step 1: Create a Compute Engine Instance • Log into your GCP Console and navigate to Compute Engine → VM instances. • Click “Create Instance,” then:   – Pick a name, region, and zone that suit your needs.   – Choose a machine type (the default works well for testing).   – Under Boot Disk, click “Change” and select Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (or your favorite version). • Under Firewall, enable HTTP/HTTPS if you plan to run web services. • Click “Create” to launch your VM. Step 2: Connect via SSH and Update Your System • In the VM list, press the “SSH” button to open a terminal session. • Run these commands to ensure your system is up-to-date:   sudo apt-get update   sudo apt-get upgrade -y Explanation: “apt-get update” fetches the latest package information and “apt-get upgrade -y” installs any available updates automatically. Step 3: Install a Desktop Environment (XFCE) Ubuntu servers come without a GUI. To install a light desktop, run:   sudo apt-get install -y xfce4 xfce4-goodies Then, set XFCE as the default by executing:   echo xfce4-session > ~/.xsession Explanation: This installs the XFCE desktop along with extra goodies (applications and tools) and configures your session to start XFCE when you log in. Step 4: Install and Configure XRDP XRDP is the service that allows remote desktop connections. Install and configure it with:   sudo apt-get install -y xrdp   sudo systemctl enable xrdp   sudo systemctl restart xrdp Explanation: Installing XRDP sets up the remote desktop server. “Enable” ensures XRDP starts automatically after reboot, and “restart” immediately applies these settings. Step 5: Set Your Username and Password To log in through XRDP, you need valid credentials. Option 1: Update Your Existing User • Find your username with:   whoami • Set a password for that user with:   sudo passwd your_username  Replace “your_username” with the one you saw. Option 2: Create a New User • To add a new user, run:   sudo adduser new_username • Follow the prompts to choose a password and fill out details. Explanation: This step ensures you have a secured account for logging in remotely. Step 6: Configure the Firewall for RDP You need to allow traffic on TCP port 3389 (the default RDP port): • In the GCP Console, go to VPC Network → Firewall Rules. • Click “Create Firewall Rule” with these details:   – Name: allow-xrdp   – Targets: All instances (or restrict to specific ones using tags)   – Source IP ranges: 0.0.0.0/0 (or limit to known IPs for enhanced security)   – Protocols and ports: Enable “tcp” and enter 3389 • Click “Create.” Explanation: This rule opens port 3389 so that remote desktop traffic can reach your VM. Step 7: Connect via Windows 10 RDP • Locate the external IP address of your instance in the Compute Engine list. • Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on your Windows 10 PC. • Enter your VM’s external IP address and click “Connect.” • Log in using the Ubuntu username and the password you set. • Accept any certificate warnings if prompted, and you’ll see the XFCE desktop. Conclusion: Following these steps, your Ubuntu VM on GCP is now configured with a user-friendly desktop environment accessible from Windows 10 via RDP. Enjoy your fully graphical remote session, and feel free to experiment further with your new setup!