How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go

Most Linux servers don’t come with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) preinstalled. When you want to run GUI applications on your server, a typical solution is to employ VNC (Virtual Network Computing), which is notoriously sluggish, insecure by default, and requires lots of configuration to get up and running. [X2Go](https://wiki.x2go.org/doku.php) provides a working “cloud desktop” with all the advantages of an always-online, remotely-accessible, and easily-scalable system with a fast network and increased security. In this tutorial, you’ll use X2Go to create an [XFCE](https://www.xfce.org/) desktop environment that you can access remotely. Choose your operating system to begin.

CentOS

8

How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on CentOS 8

Learn How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on CentOS 8

Debian

10

How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Debian 10

Learn How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Debian 10
8

How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Debian 8

Learn How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Debian 8

Ubuntu

20.04

How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Ubuntu 20.04

Learn How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Ubuntu 20.04
18.04

How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Ubuntu 18.04

Learn How To Set Up a Remote Desktop with X2Go on Ubuntu 18.04

Become a contributor for community

Get paid to write technical tutorials and select a tech-focused charity to receive a matching donation.

DigitalOcean Documentation

Full documentation for every DigitalOcean product.

Resources for startups and SMBs

The Wave has everything you need to know about building a business, from raising funding to marketing your product.

Get our newsletter

Stay up to date by signing up for DigitalOcean’s Infrastructure as a Newsletter.

New accounts only. By submitting your email you agree to our Privacy Policy

The developer cloud

Scale up as you grow — whether you're running one virtual machine or ten thousand.

Get started for free

Sign up and get $200 in credit for your first 60 days with DigitalOcean.*

*This promotional offer applies to new accounts only.