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  • Debian 12

Linux desktop over RDP on a VPS

A Linux desktop over RDP runs well on a GhostRDP Linux VPS Standard plan with 4 vCPU and 8 GB RAM in Germany or the Netherlands, from €12.99/mo.

With the XFCE desktop and xrdp, your Linux VPS becomes a full graphical desktop you reach with the same Remote Desktop app you'd use for Windows. This guide uses Debian 12, which ships Firefox ESR as a normal package.

Order Standard · €12.99/moInstall steps

  • A real desktop

    XFCE with a browser, file manager and terminal.

  • Any RDP client

    Connect from Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS or Android.

  • Always on

    Leave apps running when you disconnect.

Plans for Linux Desktop (RDP)

XFCE is light, but a web browser is not. Standard gives a smooth desktop with a browser; Basic works for light use.

  • Linux VPS Basic

    €5.99/mo

    €5.09/mo billed yearly, save €10/year

    • 2 vCPU
    • 6 GB ECC RAM
    • 40 GB NVMe
    • 1 Gbps port
    Order Basic

  • Linux VPS Standard

    Recommended

    €12.99/mo

    €11.04/mo billed yearly, save €23/year

    • 4 vCPU
    • 8 GB ECC RAM
    • 70 GB NVMe
    • 1 Gbps port
    Order Standard

  • Linux VPS Pro

    €25.99/mo

    €22.09/mo billed yearly, save €46/year

    • 6 vCPU
    • 12 GB ECC RAM
    • 90 GB NVMe
    • 1 Gbps port
    Order Pro

What you need

  • Operating system
    Linux VPS with Debian 12
  • Minimum resources
    2 vCPU and 4 GB RAM for a desktop with a browser
  • Client
    Remote Desktop Connection (Windows), Windows App (macOS, iOS) or Remmina (Linux)

Official site: xrdp.org

How to install Linux Desktop (RDP)

Written for Debian 12 from the official instructions. Run the commands as root and replace YOUR_SERVER_IP with your server's address.

  1. 1

    Connect to your server over SSH

    Use the IP address and root password from your welcome email (the server page has a Copy SSH command button). Windows 10 and 11, macOS and Linux all include an SSH client in the terminal.

    Shell
    ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
  2. 2

    Update the system

    Install the latest security updates before you add anything else.

    Shell
    apt update && apt -y upgrade
  3. 3

    Install XFCE, xrdp and Firefox

    The desktop, the RDP server and a browser, from Debian's own packages.

    Shell
    DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt install -y xfce4 xfce4-goodies xrdp dbus-x11 firefox-esr
  4. 4

    Create your desktop user

    Use a normal user for the desktop, not root. The second line makes xrdp start XFCE for this user.

    Shell
    adduser desk
usermod -aG sudo desk
echo xfce4-session > /home/desk/.xsession
chown desk:desk /home/desk/.xsession
  5. 5

    Start xrdp

    Lets xrdp read its certificate and starts it now and on every boot.

    Shell
    adduser xrdp ssl-cert
systemctl enable xrdp
systemctl restart xrdp
  6. 6

    Connect with Remote Desktop

    Open your Remote Desktop app, enter the server's IP address and sign in as desk with the password you chose.

After installing

  • Port
    xrdp listens on 3389. If you turn on a firewall, allow 3389/tcp and SSH (22/tcp).
  • Leave it running
    Close the Remote Desktop window to disconnect; your session keeps running on the server.
  • One session per user
    If you are signed in to the desktop, use another user or sign out first for a fresh session.

Linux Desktop (RDP) questions

Which plan do I need for a Linux desktop?

Standard for a smooth desktop with a web browser. Basic is fine for light use.

Linux desktop or Windows RDP?

Windows RDP runs Windows-only software such as MetaTrader. A Linux desktop is enough for browsing, development and Linux tools.

Is there a GPU?

No. The desktop is drawn in software, which is fine for normal use but not for games or video editing.

Can I use Ubuntu instead of Debian?

Yes, the same packages exist on Ubuntu. Ubuntu installs Firefox as a snap, so Debian 12 with firefox-esr is the simpler start.

Stuck on a step? Our team answers on live chat and in tickets.

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