Can I remote desktop into a Windows 11 system from Linux without using a full blown installation on a VM?

2026-07-10 19:12 UTC

Is there a more lightweight solution? Like, some ssh frontend? I’d like to help my mom cleaning up her Windows computer because she’s not very tech savvy. I can of course just screen share on some messaging app but it’d save so much time if I could have control. I’m not going to be reacting to answers advising me to install a Windows esque distro on her computer.

Replies (14)

@originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 2026-07-10 19:16

you could slap some kind of vnc solution in there.. maybe hafta open a port on her router

Open ##3723292
@curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 2026-07-10 19:20

My go-to recommendation would be rustdesk.

Open ##3723369
@just_another_person@lemmy.world 2026-07-10 19:21

Assuming you have an existing VPN to her network, then any RDP client will work. Remmina is the best remote client out there right now. Will work fine. Should be available everywhere.

Open ##3723383
@Naich@piefed.world 2026-07-10 19:22

https://remmina.org/ ?

Open ##3723417
@atanu@mas.to 2026-07-10 19:18

@akunohana@piefed.blahaj.zone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rdesktop

Open ##3723629
@SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2026-07-10 19:35

VNC server on her computer. VNC client on your computer. Make sure password is very strong since you’re opening this to the wider internet. Open a port for VNC to pass through on your moms router (and possibly your own as well), and then connect remotely. TigerVNC seems to be available for all platforms, including Windows and Linux. TigerVNC includes a server and viewer. tigervnc.org github.com/TigerVNC/tigervnc

Open ##3723661
@brickfrog@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-07-10 19:57

Windows has an RDP server installed by default so any Linux RDP client will work (Remmina for example), just need to configure Windows to allow those incoming connections. But RDP won’t do screen-sharing, if you need that specifically look at installing a VNC server onto the Windows system, or look at stuff like Rustdesk. For what it’s worth Windows does sort of have a RDP screen sharing feature, I think it comes up as Quick Assist on Windows, but that works through Microsoft Account / servers and wouldn’t do connections from Linux AFAIK.

Open ##3724120
@MangoCats@feddit.it 2026-07-10 21:04

VNC, and friends.

Open ##3725157
@sirico@feddit.uk 2026-07-10 21:04

Remmina as mentioned already. You can script it and run it in kiosk mode or a wm like open box In your situation tail scale and remmina will be enough.

Open ##3725166
@InFerNo@lemmy.ml 2026-07-10 21:55

I use Remmina to take over Windows PCs but since it’s RDP it will lock the device. If you want the other person to be able to follow along I recommend rustdesk.

Open ##3726068
@monkeyman512@lemmy.world 2026-07-10 22:30

Chrome Remote Desktop works if she uses the Chrome browser and you only need occasional control when she present to authorize you getting access to her computer.

Open ##3726557
@Creat@discuss.tchncs.de 2026-07-10 23:22

Many solutions exist, rdp clients aren’t exactly rare. I’m personally using xfreerdp for the extensive options: I can connect to a Windows system (at work) and have it be full screen on 2 of my 3 local monitors. It’s fast, reliable and just works honestly.

Open ##3727338
@Megumin@lemmy.world 2026-07-11 05:25

I use rustdesk to control my debian jellyfin server from my windows gaming laptop.

Open ##3732676
@M33@piefed.world 2026-07-11 12:03

For seamless window integration : xpra

Open ##3738966