Connect to Windows 7 via remote desktop connection (RDP) from Ubuntu

A common task and useful tool in modern computing is to be able to view and control the screen of another computer; the host, often running a different operating system than the client. Some Ubuntu users may be wondering if is possible to use the remote desktop protocol (RDP) to connect to an Ubuntu machine. The answer is yes! This method may be useful if a potential client PC is running a version of Windows.

Remmina will be used as the remote client. Remmina Remote Desktop Client has replaced TSClient - Ubuntu 11.04 - as the new native RDP client. RDP, VNC, SDMCP, NX, SSH, Avahi and Telepathy are among the remote desktop protocols supported by the new release of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. The wide variety of remote protocols supported by Remmina will surely make a usefully client for those who remotely access computers with a wide variety of operating systems.

Remmina is availabe in three different packages; GTK+ application, GNOME application and the xfce panel plug-in. The Ubuntu software center has remmina availalbe for download.
Here we will overview some of the most popular methods of connecting to an Ubuntu computer from a Windows 7 machine using the remote desktop protocol (RDP).

To connect to the Windows 7 pc via RDP you must first enable remote control of the windows screen. This is done by going to the start menu, right click on computer, then select properties.

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In the control panel window that pops up select "Remote Settings" in the column on the left.

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In the "System Properties" window that will appear, and under the "Remote" tab, be sure to check the "Allow remote assistance" button. You will also need to select one of the security preferences located towards the bottom of this window.

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If you are having trouble connecting to the windows rdp then I would suggest you choose "Allow connections from any computer running any version of Remote Desktop." Thats it. You have enabled rdp screen sharing to your Windows 7 computer.

Now we need to configure Remmina on the Ubuntu machine.

Step 1. To set up Remmina you will first need to select the icon with a blank page and a plus sign to set up a new remote desktop profile.

Step 2. First you will want to give this new connection a name and select the protocol you will be using; RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), SFTP (Secure File Transfer), SSH (Secure Shell), VNC (Virtual Network Computing) or VNC (Incoming Connection).

Step 3. Now enter the username, password, and domain of the machine you would like to connect to. Here you can also change the screen resolution and color depth. Adjust these parameters to attain the desired performance.