[XServer VPS] Build an LXDE GUI environment on Ubuntu and migrate to LXQt

With xServer VPS, you can instantly create a GUI environment by simply selecting the Ubuntu desktop (LXDE) as your OS

However, LXDE is a slightly older desktop environment, so I'll switch to its successor, LXQt.
Migrating to LXQt is as simple as switching the desktop environment, and the configuration provided by xServer can be used as is, so it's easy to set up.

GNOME is popular because it looks good, but when connecting to a VPS via RDP, it can sometimes be unstable, making it a little difficult to use.
In this article, we will assume a lightweight configuration that can be easily used on a VPS.

Why XServer VPS?

There are many different VPS services available, but this time I made a quick comparison of several domestic VPS services and chose the best one.
Here's a rough comparison:

This time, I chose XServer VPS because I wanted a host with reasonable specs and to keep monthly costs as low as possible.
The CPU performance is relatively high, and the higher-end plans are reasonably priced, so it's easy to upgrade the specs later.

In addition, with xServer VPS you can choose "Ubuntu Desktop (LXDE)" as your OS

By simply selecting this, the GUI environment will be automatically created, so you don't need to create a desktop environment from scratch.
This time, we will use this initial state as a base and later replace it with LXQt.

＼ Click here for more details about Xserver VPS! ! /

Xserver VPS

Why move from LXDE to LXQt?

With xServer VPS, you can easily create a GUI environment by choosing the Ubuntu desktop (LXDE)

LXDE is lightweight, stable, and still a very practical desktop environment for use on a VPS,
so there's no problem with continuing to use it.

However, development of LXDE has almost stopped , and the transition to its successor, LXQt, is underway.
Considering future maintenance and future potential, it is safer to choose LXQt if you are using a new operating system.

Also, migrating to LXQt does not require any special work; you just need to change your desktop environment.
The base environment provided by xServer VPS can be used as is, so another advantage is that you can migrate without making any major changes.

For this reason, I decided to first set up the environment with LXDE and then switch to and use LXQt

Build an Ubuntu desktop environment

Now, let's actually set up the Ubuntu desktop environment

Build Ubuntu Desktop (LXDE) on XServer VPS

First, let's build the Ubuntu desktop (LXDE) on an XServer VPS.
You can access the XServer VPS from the link below!

＼ Click here for more details about Xserver VPS! ! /

Xserver VPS

Once you have created an account, you will be taken to the VPS application page.
There are various server types, but you should select the "Standard Server (Linux Server)."

Server name: Any
Plan: Any (A low plan is fine at first)
Server contract period: We recommend about 3 months, but you can start from 1 month. The longer the contract period, the cheaper the installment plan will be.

Next, for the image type, select the "Applications tab" and then select "Show other applications."

Then, you will see "Ubuntu Desktop (LXDE)" under Server Management and Other Tools, so select this this time

Root password: Any
SSH key: Any
Default port open: Use

If there are no issues, select Confirm application details

Once you have confirmed the details and made the payment, the setup will be complete.
It will take about 20 minutes for the XServer to actually be set up.

Once it is "Running", click Console > VNC Console

You should now be able to see the Ubuntu desktop (LXDE).
Your ID and password are listed in RDP-password.txt.

Making detailed settings

Once you've done this, you can enter various settings using commands

First, let's run the standard command

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Next, add a user.
The original user will remain as is, and the new user will be used to log in from now on.

[username] should be any username

sudo adduser [username] sudo usermod -aG sudo [username]

At this point, you should be able to log in with the user you created via RDP

Switch to LXQt

We want to use the newly added user to switch to LXQt, so be sure to log in with the user created above

First, install LXQt

sudo apt install lxqt

Rewrite .xsession to startlxqt

cat << 'EOF' > ~/.xsession #!/bin/sh setxkbmap -layout jp -model jp106 exec startlxqt EOF

If you don't have the permissions, add them

chmod +x ~/.xsession

Now restart xrdp and reconnect to RDP and it should be displayed in LXQt

sudo systemctl restart xrdp

You will see a screen like this at first, but I think Openbox is fine. You can change it later if you want

Now you have successfully changed to LXQt!
Please note that if you log in as the original user, you will still be using LXDE.

Optional settings

You don't have to do anything else after this, but I'll add any settings that I personally find interesting as I notice them.
I hope you'll find them useful if you encounter any problems.

Unable to connect via RDP

After using it for a few days, I encountered an issue where I couldn't connect unless I restarted the server.
Also, a screen lock-like issue occurred, so I deleted xscreensaver.

sudo apt purge xscreensaver systemctl --user mask xscreensaver.service systemctl --user mask xscreensaver.socket

I'm not sure if this is the correct cause, but after a few days the connection is now working fine

I want to switch back to LXDE

If you want to go back to LXDE instead of LXQt, run the following command.
This should work fine unless you removed lxde.

cat << 'EOF' > ~/.xsession #!/bin/sh setxkbmap -layout jp -model jp106 exec startlxde EOF sudo systemctl restart xrdp

summary

With an XServer VPS, you can create a GUI environment simply by selecting the Ubuntu desktop (LXDE)

Although LXDE is still practical, I decided to switch to its successor, LXQt.
Since it only replaces the desktop environment, you can migrate with almost no changes to your existing configuration.

There is also GNOME as an XServer, but when using a GUI on a VPS, I found that a lightweight desktop environment such as LXDE/LXQt was more stable and easier to use