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Asked: 2024-09-26T23:16:54+05:30 In:

What steps do I need to follow to set up a graphical desktop environment on WSL2 in Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into the world of WSL2 on my Windows machine lately and I’m really excited about it, but there’s one thing that’s throwing me for a loop – getting a graphical desktop environment up and running in Ubuntu! I’ve seen tons of tutorials online, but they all seem to assume I already know certain things or skip over steps that end up being super confusing.

So here’s my dilemma: I’ve installed WSL2 and set up my Ubuntu distribution just fine. I can run command line stuff without any issues, but every time I try to open a GUI application, it either doesn’t work or just throws me into a confusing pit of errors. I’ve read a bit about needing an X server and how to configure that, but honestly, I’m not even sure where to start. Do I really need to download an external X server like Xming or VcXsrv, or is there a way to do this with native Windows support?

Also, once I get the X server running, what about installing a desktop environment? I hear people talking about using lightweight environments like XFCE or more full-featured ones like GNOME. I guess part of me is worrying about performance too; I don’t want my system to lag every time I launch an application.

If you’ve gone through this process, what practical steps did you take? Any specific commands or configurations I should be careful about? I’d really appreciate it if you could walk me through it, even if it’s just the basics. And if there are any common pitfalls to look out for, that would be a huge help too. I’m hoping to get a smooth-running setup where I can enjoy the best of both worlds – the power of Linux and the familiarity of Windows. Thanks a ton in advance for any tips or tricks!

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    2 Answers


    1. Getting GUI Apps Running in WSL2 Ubuntu!

      Alright, so you’re diving into WSL2 and want to set up a graphical environment – I totally get it! Let’s break this down step by step without overwhelming you.

      Step 1: Do I Need an X Server?

      Yes, in order to run GUI applications on WSL2, you’ll need an X server. The two popular ones are Xming and VcXsrv. Both are free and easy to set up.

      • Xming – lightweight and simple.
      • VcXsrv – another popular choice, and comes with a setup wizard!

      Step 2: Setting Up the X Server

      Once you’ve downloaded and installed your X server:

      1. Launch the X server. For VcXsrv, just pick the default settings in the wizard and click “Next” until it’s running.
      2. Before opening your terminal, you’ll want to set the DISPLAY variable in WSL. Open your Ubuntu terminal and type:
        3. export DISPLAY=$(ip -4 addr show eth0 | grep -oP '(?<=inet\s)\d+(\.\d+){3}'):0
      3. To make this change permanent, you can add that line to your ~/.bashrc file.

      Step 3: Installing the Desktop Environment

      Now, for the fun part – installing a desktop environment! Here’s how you can install XFCE, which is lightweight and great for WSL:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfce4
sudo apt install xfce4-goodies

      Step 4: Launching the Desktop Environment

      To start XFCE, just run:

      startxfce4

      And voilà! You should see the XFCE desktop environment pop up.

      Performance Concerns

      Generally, lightweight environments like XFCE perform better on WSL2 compared to heavier ones like GNOME. If you experience lag, consider reducing the number of applications running simultaneously.

      Common Pitfalls

      • Make sure your X server is running before trying to launch GUI apps.
      • If a program doesn’t launch, check your DISPLAY variable again.
      • Some applications might need additional libraries. Pay attention to error messages for hints on what might be missing.

      That should help you get started! Just take it one step at a time, and you'll be enjoying your Linux GUI apps in no time!




    2. Setting Up GUI in WSL2 Ubuntu

      To get a graphical desktop environment running on your WSL2 Ubuntu, you will need to use an X server. While you can technically rely on native Windows support, installing an external X server like VcXsrv or Xming is the most straightforward approach. After downloading and installing VcXsrv, start it with default settings and make sure to check the options to disable access control (this allows WSL2 applications to connect to the X server). Next, you’ll need to set the DISPLAY environment variable in your WSL2 terminal. You can do this by adding the following line to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile: export DISPLAY=$(ipconfig.exe | grep -A 3 "Ethernet adapter" | grep "IPv4" | awk '{print $2}'):0. This command retrieves your Windows machine’s IP address and properly formats it for the X server connection.

      Once your X server is running, you can install a desktop environment like XFCE or GNOME. XFCE is a great lightweight option that won’t bog down your system, while GNOME offers a more feature-rich experience. You can install XFCE with the command sudo apt install xfce4, which should be quite responsive on your setup. After installation, launch the desktop session using the command startxfce4 (or the corresponding command for GNOME). Be aware that running a full desktop environment might impact performance slightly due to resource usage; ensure you close unnecessary applications in both WSL2 and Windows. Common issues to watch for include firewall settings on Windows potentially blocking connections to the X server, so adjust those as needed. With these steps, you should be able to enjoy the power of Linux GUI applications right alongside your Windows environment.


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