by: Linux/Unix Raspberry Pi

Installing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a Linux Server instance creates a desktop environment on a cloud server.

Read Deploying Windows on Linode [Link] if you need a Windows desktop instead.

INSTALLING GUI

Install the desktop environment:

sudo apt install tasksel

Choose a GUI:

  • ubuntu-desktop-minimal (GNOME – Recommended)
  • ubuntu-desktop (GNOME – Default)
  • kubuntu-desktop (KDE)
  • lubuntu-desktop (LXQt)
  • ubuntu-mate-desktop (MATE)
tasksel --list-tasks
sudo tasksel install ubuntu-desktop-minimal
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
sudo reboot

If you chose GNOME, it is recommended to disable animations to improve performance:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface enable-animations false
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock animate-show-apps false
sudo reboot

VNC REMOTE DESKTOP

For GNOME, issue the following commands:

sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server -y
su - user
vncpasswd
vncserver -localhost no
vncserver -list
vncserver -kill :1

For a lighter alternative, use XFCE4:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies tightvncserver
vncserver
vncserver -kill :1
echo "startxfce4" >> ~/.vnc/xstartup
vncserver

CONFIGURING AUTO LOGON

Edit /etc/gdm3/custom.conf and update the following:

AutomaticLoginEnable = true
AutomaticLogin = localUserName

Note: Auto logon does not work for domain users.