Headless Debian/Ubuntu XFCE4 <---> Windows RDP Working Setup

🖥️ Headless Debian/Ubuntu XFCE4 RDP Setup

Want to access your Linux desktop from Windows 11 via RDP without a monitor? Follow this guide! ✅

1️⃣ Install Packages

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies xorg dbus-x11 x11-xserver-utils xserver-xorg-video-dummy xrdp -y

2️⃣ Configure XFCE4 for xrdp

echo "xfce4-session" > ~/.xsession
chmod +x ~/.xsession

3️⃣ Fix startwm.sh

Backup and edit the startup script:

sudo cp /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh.bak
sudo nano /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh

Replace content with:

#!/bin/sh
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
unset XDG_RUNTIME_DIR
export XDG_SESSION_TYPE=x11
export DESKTOP_SESSION=xfce
export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=XFCE
startxfce4

sudo chmod +x /etc/xrdp/startwm.sh

4️⃣ Allow non-root X sessions

sudo nano /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config

Set:

allowed_users=anybody

5️⃣ Create Dummy Virtual Display

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Paste the following:

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Configured Video Device"
    Driver "dummy"
    VideoRam 256000
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Configured Monitor"
    HorizSync 5.0 - 1000.0
    VertRefresh 5.0 - 200.0
    Modeline "1600x900" 85.50 1600 1632 1760 1792 900 921 924 946
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Default Screen"
    Monitor "Configured Monitor"
    Device "Configured Video Device"
    DefaultDepth 24
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1600x900"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

6️⃣ Restart xrdp

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

7️⃣ Connect from Windows

• Open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe)
• Enter your Linux server IP
• Select Xorg session
• Login with Linux credentials

💡 Tips & Troubleshooting

• Adjust resolution in /etc/X11/xorg.conf if needed
• Check logs: /var/log/xrdp.log & /var/log/Xorg.*.log
• Make sure port 3389 is open in firewall
• Black screen? Ensure no other user is logged in; reboot if needed

Now you have a **fully functional headless XFCE4 RDP setup**! 🎉