How to Enable Desktop Sharing on Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Abstract: Desktop sharing refers to the technology of realizing remote access and remote collaboration on the computer desktop through a graphical terminal emulator. Desktop sharing allows two or more network-connected computer users to work on the same file in different locations. In this article, I'll show you how to enable desktop sharing in Ubuntu and Linux Mint, and show you some important security features.

Desktop sharing refers to a technology that enables remote access and remote collaboration on a computer desktop through a graphical terminal emulator. Desktop sharing allows two or more network-connected computer users to work on the same file in different locations.

In this article, I'll show you how to enable desktop sharing in Ubuntu and Linux Mint, and show you some important security features.

Enabling Desktop Sharing on Ubuntu and Linux Mint
1. In the Ubuntu Dash or Linux Mint menu, search for desktop sharing as shown in the screenshot below, and when you find it, open it.

Search for Desktop sharing
in Ubuntu Search for Desktop sharing in Ubuntu

2. After opening Desktop sharing, there are three options for desktop sharing settings: sharing, security and notification settings.

Under Sharing Options, check the option "Allow other users to view the desktop" to enable desktop sharing. Alternatively, you can check the option "Allow other users to control your desktop" to allow other users to control your desktop remotely.

Desktop Sharing Preferences
Desktop Sharing Preferences

3. Next, in the "Security" section, you can manually confirm each remote connection by checking the option "You must confirm any access to this computer".

Also, another useful security feature is the option to "require user password" to create a definite shared password. This way the user needs to know and enter the password every time they want to access your desktop.

4. For notifications, you can check "Only when someone is connected" to monitor remote connections, so that every time someone connects to your desktop remotely, you can view them in the notification area.

Configuring Desktop Sharing Settings
Configuring Desktop Sharing Settings

When all desktop sharing options are set, click Close. Now, you have successfully enabled desktop sharing on your Ubuntu or Linux Mint.

Testing Ubuntu's Remote Desktop Sharing
You can test by using a remote connection application to make sure desktop sharing is available. In this example, I'll show how some of the options set above work.

5. I will use the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) protocol to connect to my Ubuntu PC through the remmina remote connection application.

Remmina desktop sharing tool
Remmina desktop sharing tool

6. After clicking Ubuntu PC, the following interface for configuring connection settings will appear.

Remmina desktop sharing preferences
Remmina desktop sharing preferences

7. After all settings are executed, click Connect. Then, provide the SSH password for the username and click OK.

Enter the SSH user password
Enter the SSH user password

After clicking OK, the following black screen appears, because the connection has not been confirmed on the remote machine.

black screen before
connection before connection confirmation

8. Now, on the remote machine, I need to accept the remote access request by clicking Allow as shown in the next screen shot.

Allow Remote Desktop Sharing
Allow Remote Desktop Sharing

9. After accepting the request, I successfully connect to the desktop of the remote Ubuntu machine.

Remote Ubuntu Desktop
Remote

Ubuntu

Desktop