Windows 10: Mad prof strikes again GUI on UBUNTU in Windows (WSL) !!!

You're getting close. Glad I could help. *Smile

Kippis! *Wink

 

Hi folks

I've been interested in the idea of a GUI on the Ubuntu system in Windows - for those that have enabled Linux subsystem on Windows.

As delivered it's a limited cmd line still OK but wouldn't it be nice to have a GUI in it.

This program essentially does a reasonably good job -- vcxsrv

VcXsrv Windows X Server download | SourceForge.net

install (on Windows) , start it (it's called Xlaunch on your Windows desktop) and then start the Ubuntu subsystem

do apt-get update

install say a graphical editor e.g Nautilus -- you might have to run the apt update again to get all the repositories -- then it will load a load of modules and away you go.

You still have to start the application though from the command line.

Ensure before you call the program that you have enabled the Xserver on the WSL.
As root you have to do the following cmd

export DISPLAY=:0

Now run the program you want e.g Nautilus ( A Ubuntu graphical file manager) - ignore a load of error / warning messages on the console

You should see a window like this





again for grsync (graphical front end for rsync)





Have fun folks !!! Don't forget to connect the display with the export command shown above before trying to get to the application.

"The Nordic Mad Prof strikes again" !!!!

Ensure you have plenty of HDD space if you are installing a load of stuff though.
Not all GUI programs will work but a decent amount do. Worth a go.

I've marked the post as solved as this gives a reasonable amount of GUI programs that work on WSL.

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

ubutu for windows 10

Unfortunately, no, you cannot use Ubuntu for Windows 10 in the way that you expect. This version of Ubuntu uses the Windows Subsystem for Linux, and it is only intended for use by developers. For more information on what you can do with the Windows Subsystem
for Linux, see FAQ on this page:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/faq

 

How to use a custom bashrc file or where the file used by the system is located on Windows 10.

Maybe the commands to delete and install the ubuntu image will help you?

Windows Subsystem for Linux Command Reference

Since ubuntu is running off of an image there isnt a direct location within windows to edit any files.

 

Yep, that is exactly how to do it.

Thanks for bringing a good reference guide here to TF.

 

Hi there

@slicendice

Thanks for Rep

I was actually just messing about with this as I've got a bit of spare time today (probably too much).
I'm working now to see if I can get a full desktop - I'd prefer KDE but I think I probably could get the Ubuntu standard unity desktop

Problem also is I've only got one window -- I'm not sure if I have to start multiple instances of the Linux subsystem to get multiple windows open.

Still it's fun playing with this -- you need a decent machine though as installing the ubuntu-desktop, unity and kubuntu-desktop take a longish time (not minutes as on a Native system !!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

Try this to detach the GUI app from your Bash:
Code: grsync &[/quote]

 

[/quote] Hi there
@slicendice

amazing what a glass of scotch / few beers can do !!!!

yours was a good idea works fine good idea -

BTW uninstall these - if they get installed because that causes all sorts of errors stopping further software being installed.

sudo apt-get purge -f unity-scope-gdrive account-plugin-google account-plugin-facebook

Not sure how this got included but it's there -- then an apt install -f should fix the libraries again.


Now for a desktop GUI

Install these

apt-get install compiz-core
apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager


After all these programs are installed, run ccsm from Bash. From the ccsm interface, you'll need to enable the following Compiz plugins:

General:
Commands
Composite
Copy to texture
OpenGL

Desktop:
Ubuntu Unity Plugin

Image Loading:
PNG

Utility:
Compiz Library Toolbox
Windows Management
Move Window
Place Windows
Resize Window
Scale
Snapping Windows

Now try running compiz

it might give you a black screen - just ctrl-alt-del into task manager and kill Ubuntu.

Nearly there though -- I'm sure I'll get a desktop GUI working soon though


kippis /skal !!!

jimbo