How to Use a Desktop With an Ubuntu Server

The Ubuntu Server operating system is a Linux-based, open-source system that's free to download. When you install Ubuntu Server, however, you only receive the command-line version. When this version boots up, it displays only the Linux command prompt, rather than a graphical user interface (GUI) desktop. The X Window desktop works with Ubuntu Server, but first you must install it. X Window desktop is also open source and free to use. Once you install the X Window desktop to Ubuntu Server, it functions very much like the Microsoft Windows operating system, offering right-click functionality, context menus and drag-and-drop file manipulation.

Things You'll Need

• An Internet connection

Instructions

1. Boot the computer into the Ubuntu Server command prompt. If the computer has a dual-boot system, select the Ubuntu Server option and press "Enter" to boot into Ubuntu Server. If Ubuntu Server is the only operating system installed, the computer automatically boots to the Ubuntu Server command prompt.

2. Type "?sudo apt-get ubuntu-desktop" (without quotes) at the prompt and press the "Enter" key. A password prompt appears.

3. Type the Administrator password and press "Enter." Wait while X Window desktop installs to Ubuntu Server.

4. Type "startx" (without quotes) and press "Enter" to start the X Window desktop application on the server.

Tips & Warnings

• X Window looks and operates very similar to Microsoft Windows. Many applications are installed along with the X Window desktop, including the Firefox web browser, OpenOffice, the Evolution email client and many system tools. Within the X Window desktop, you can click icons to open files and folders. Click links to open programs and web pages. Right click to access context menus and drag-and-drop files and folders, just as in Microsoft Windows.