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


  1. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #1

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


    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

    Mad prof strikes again  GUI on UBUNTU in Windows (WSL) !!!-ubuntu.png

    again for grsync (graphical front end for rsync)

    Mad prof strikes again  GUI on UBUNTU in Windows (WSL) !!!-ubuntu1.png

    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
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #2

    Yep, that is exactly how to do it.

    Thanks for bringing a good reference guide here to TF.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #3

    slicendice said:
    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
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #4

    Try this to detach the GUI app from your Bash:
    Code:
    grsync &
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #5

    slicendice said:
    Try this to detach the GUI app from your Bash:
    Code:
    grsync &
    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
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #6

    You're getting close. Glad I could help. :)

    Kippis!
      My Computers


 

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