Install Desktop Environment Install Desktop Environme...

Linux based VPS come with minimal installation by default. This allows you to customize the VPS to meet your requirements by installing additional software. If you prefer to have a desktop environment for your VPS, there are many choices. One of the commonly used choices is the GNOME-Desktop.

Please note that after installing the GNOME-Desktop, you can access it using VNC.


Linux CentOS 7

Before getting started, ensure that your system is up to date.

sudo yum update -y
To install the GNONE-Desktop, execute the following command.

sudo yum -y groups install "GNOME Desktop"
To start GNOME-Desktop, execute the following command. When GNOME-Desktop starts for the first time, you will have to configure it by selecting the system language, keyboard layout etc.

startx
If you check using the following command, you will notice that the GNOME-Desktop is not setup to load after system startup.

sudo systemctl get-default
To ensure that GNOME-Desktop starts up at system startup, change the default target by executing the following commands.

sudo systemctl enable graphical.target --force
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
If don't want GNOME-Desktop loaded at startup, you can disable it by executing the following commands.

sudo systemctl enable multi-user.target --force
sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

Linux Ubuntu 20.04

Before getting started, ensure that your system is update to date.

sudo apt update -y
You can install the vanilla GNOME desktop or the full GNOME desktop. If you don't have a preference, we suggest you go with the vanilla GNOME desktop.

Command to install vanilla GNOME desktop:

sudo apt install gnome-session gdm3
or

Commands to install the full GNOME desktop:

sudo apt install tasksel
sudo tasksel install ubuntu-desktop
Follow the next two steps only if you want to allow root login through the GUI. Firstly, edit the /etc/gdm3/custom.conf file to add the AllowRoot=true line.

sudo vi /etc/gdm3/custom.conf
Allow GUI root login on Ubuntu 20.04

Next, edit the PAM authentication daemon configuration file /etc/pam.d/gdm-password and comment the line which denies root access to graphical user interface. To comment the line, put a # in front of the line auth required pam_succeed_if.so user != root quiet_success.

sudo vi /etc/pam.d/gdm-password
Allow GUI root login on Ubuntu 20.04

Reboot the system to start using it.

sudo reboot

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