Introduction how to install GUI desktop in WSL2 with VcSxrv in winsows 10.

Install Step

Install WSL

First check if you Windows 10 Version supports WSL 2 or not checkout the Link and Install.

Download VcSxrv

Download X server connected tool, I use VcXsrv.

Update Ubuntu 20.04 to the latest version

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$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade

x-server VcXsrv configuration

Open the Ubuntu 20.04 LTS terminal and type below to install XFCE4 Desktop:

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$ sudo apt-get install x11-apps
$ sudo apt-get install xfce4

When you install xfce4, you maybe need to select the Default Display Manager link this:

If you don’t how to select, you can reference What is LightDM and GDM.

After the installation finished, open .bashrc add some configuration.

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$ cd ~
$ vi .bashrc

Go to the last line and write this

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# For WSL2
export DISPLAY=$(cat /etc/resolv.conf | grep nameserver | awk '{print $2}'):0.0
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1

and Exit your WSL and run it again.

Now after we got everything we need, let’s start the session

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$ startxfce4

and go back you windows to open VcXsrv main program(XLaunch) you can use you GUI in WSL

Congratulations!! Now you can use your WSL using Graphical User Interface.

Reference

• What’s the easiest way to run GUI apps on Windows Subsystem for Linux as of 2018?
• Window10 建置Ubuntu(WSL2)與GUI桌面配置筆記
• Installing WSL with GUI using VcXsrv
• Development Environment in WSL2
• How to Change the Default Display Manager in Ubuntu 20.04
• What is LightDM and GDM