Install a XRDP server on Linux Mint

Here’s how to install and configure an RDP server on Linux Mint so you can connect from Windows using the Remote Desktop Connection Client:

1. Install XRDP

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Open a terminal and run:

bashsudo apt update
sudo apt install xrdp -y

2. Enable and Start the XRDP Service

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bashsudo systemctl enable xrdp
sudo systemctl start xrdp

3. Add XRDP User to SSL Cert Group

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bashsudo adduser xrdp ssl-cert

4. Configure the Firewall (if UFW is active)

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bashsudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
sudo ufw reload

5. Fix for Cinnamon Desktop (Linux Mint’s default)

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XRDP often has issues with Cinnamon. Create a session config file:

bashecho "cinnamon-session" > ~/.xsession
chmod +x ~/.xsession

Then restart XRDP:

bashsudo systemctl restart xrdp

6. Second fix for Cinnamon Desktop

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Try using the startx workaround. For this edit the xrdp startup script:

bashsudo nano /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh

Find the lines near the bottom that say:

bashtest -x /etc/X11/Xsession && exec /etc/X11/Xsession
exec /bin/sh /etc/X11/Xsession

Add these lines above them:

bashunset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
unset XDG_RUNTIME_DIR

So it looks like:

bashunset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
unset XDG_RUNTIME_DIR
test -x /etc/X11/Xsession && exec /etc/X11/Xsession
exec /bin/sh /etc/X11/Xsession

Save with Ctrl+O, exit with Ctrl+X, then restart:

bashsudo systemctl restart xrdp

7. Find Your Linux Mint IP Address

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ip a

Look for your local IP (e.g., 192.168.x.x) under your network interface (usually eth0 or wlan0).

8. Connect from Windows 11

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• Press Win + R, type mstsc, hit Enter
• Enter your Linux Mint IP address
• Click Connect
• Log in with your Linux Mint username and password