Xming - Manage graphical Linux apps from a Windows system

1. About Xming

Xming is an open source X-Windows terminal emulator (X Server) that runs on Microsoft Windows computers. Xming allows the Windows machines to display a graphical linux program which is basically running on a remote Linux server. Above the basic installation steps, this article demonstrates how to secure an X-Window session using Xming with PuTTY SSH Client.

2. Prerequisites

The "X Window System" package group must be installed on the remote CentOS server.

[root@centos7 ~]# yum groupinstall "X Window System" -y 

The X Window System uses a client-server architecture. The X server listens for connections from X client applications via a network or local loopback interface. The server communicates with the hardware, such as the video card, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. X client applications exist in the user-space, creating a graphical user interface for the user and passing user requests to the X server.

3. Installation

The Xming Installer is suitable for Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP Desktops as well as Windows Server 2012/2008/2003.

Steps:

• Use the link below to download the latest Xming installer from Sourceforge.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/xming/files/latest/download

• Once the installer is downloaded to your desktop, double-click the Xming icon to start the installation process

• On the "Welcome to the Xming Setup Wizard" screen click Next

• Accept the C:\Program Files\Xming or browse a different folder for installation destination. To continue click Next

• When prompted for which components to install, accept the defaults and click Next

• On the "Select Additional Tasks" screen, select the additional tasks such as desktop icons then click Next

• The next screen shows all installation settings. If everything correct click Install

• Click Finish on the "Completing the Xming Setup Wizard" window.

Your Windows desktop is now equipped to display X11-based graphical applications remotely.

4. How to use Xming

After a successful installation, your Windows machine should have an Xming desktop icon. Double-clicking this will start the X11 server and allow you to use this machine as an X Server. When the X11 server is running an "X" icon appears in your taskbar.

Steps:

• Start Xming by double-clicking on the Xming icon
• Open the PuTTY session configuration window (start Putty)

• In the PuTTY configuration window, select "Connection --> SSH --> X11"

• Make sure that the "Enable X11 forwarding" box is checked

• Return to the Session category, specify a host name or IP address you want to connect to

• Specify a suitable name under the "Saved Sessions" and save this session - OR - just simply click Open to connect to the specified CentOS machine.

Use "xeyes", "xterm" or other graphical applications (xorg-x11-apps) for testing X11 forwarding.

[root@centos7 ~]# yum install xeyes -y 

[root@centos7 ~]# xeyes