{"id":4493,"date":"2026-08-04T21:27:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T21:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ownwebservers.com\/kb\/?p=4493"},"modified":"2026-08-04T21:27:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T21:27:29","slug":"how-to-show-unpinned-remote-desktop-on-linux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ownwebservers.com\/kb\/how-to-show-unpinned-remote-desktop-on-linux\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpinning Remote Desktop Connections on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a system administrator, I’ve often found myself juggling multiple remote desktop connections, and keeping them organized can be a challenge. While remote desktop connections are typically pinned to the taskbar or system tray for easy access, there may be situations where you want to unpin them to free up space or improve workflow efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore the various methods and tools available on Linux to show unpinned remote desktop connections.<\/p>\n

Understanding Remote Desktop and Linux Alternatives<\/h2>\n

While Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a widely used protocol for remote access to Windows systems, Linux users have alternative options like Xrdp, VNC, or FreeRDP. Xrdp is a popular open-source implementation of the RDP protocol for Linux, providing a secure and reliable way to access remote Linux systems.<\/p>\n

Showing Unpinned Remote Desktop on Linux<\/h2>\n

Understanding the Default Remote Desktop Display<\/h3>\n

When establishing a remote desktop connection using Xrdp or other tools, the connection is usually displayed as an icon on your taskbar or system tray. This icon allows for easy access and management of remote desktop connections. However, this behavior can be customized to show or hide these connections.<\/p>\n

Using Xrdp to Configure Remote Desktop Settings<\/h3>\n

Xrdp provides several configuration options to customize remote desktop settings, including the display of connections. To configure Xrdp settings, edit the `.xrdp` folder settings or modify the `xrdp.ini` file.<\/p>\n

sudo nano \/etc\/xrdp\/xrdp.ini<\/code><\/pre>\n
In the `xrdp.ini` file, you can add or modify the `display` section to specify the display settings for new connections. To show an unpinned remote desktop connection, add the following line:<\/p>\n
[display]\nunpin = true<\/code><\/pre>\n
After modifying the `xrdp.ini` file, restart the Xrdp service to apply the changes:<\/p>\n
sudo service xrdp restart<\/code><\/pre>\n
Customizing Remote Desktop Display with Linux Desktop Environments<\/h2>\n
Linux desktop environments like Xfce, GNOME, and KDE provide settings to configure remote desktop connections and their display options. You can use these settings to show or hide remote desktop connections.<\/p>\n
Using Xfce to Configure Remote Desktop Connections<\/h3>\n
Xfce provides a simple and intuitive interface to manage remote desktop connections. To configure remote desktop connections in Xfce:<\/p>\n
    \n
  1. Open the Xfce Settings Manager.<\/li>\n
  2. Click on the “Remote Desktop” tab.<\/li>\n
  3. Select the remote desktop connection you want to configure.<\/li>\n
  4. Click on the “Display” tab.<\/li>\n
  5. Select the “Unpin from taskbar” option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Using GNOME to Configure Remote Desktop Connections<\/h3>\n
    GNOME provides a robust and customizable interface to manage remote desktop connections. To configure remote desktop connections in GNOME:<\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Open the GNOME Settings application.<\/li>\n
    2. Click on the “Remote Desktop” tab.<\/li>\n
    3. Select the remote desktop connection you want to configure.<\/li>\n
    4. Click on the “Display” tab.<\/li>\n
    5. Select the “Unpin from taskbar” option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      Using KDE to Configure Remote Desktop Connections<\/h3>\n
      KDE provides a powerful and customizable interface to manage remote desktop connections. To configure remote desktop connections in KDE:<\/p>\n
        \n
      1. Open the KDE System Settings application.<\/li>\n
      2. Click on the “Remote Desktop” tab.<\/li>\n
      3. Select the remote desktop connection you want to configure.<\/li>\n
      4. Click on the “Display” tab.<\/li>\n
      5. Select the “Unpin from taskbar” option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        Managing Desktop Entries with xdg-desktop-menu<\/h2>\n
        The `xdg-desktop-menu` command is a powerful tool to manage desktop entries, including remote desktop connections. You can use this command to create, edit, or delete desktop entries.<\/p>\n
        xdg-desktop-menu --help<\/code><\/pre>\n
        To show or hide a remote desktop connection using `xdg-desktop-menu`, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
          \n
        1. Create a desktop entry for the remote desktop connection using the `xdg-desktop-menu` command.<\/li>\n
        2. Edit the desktop entry to specify the display settings.<\/li>\n
        3. Use the `xdg-desktop-menu` command to update the desktop entry.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Alternative Methods for Customizing Remote Desktop Display<\/h2>\n
          In addition to the methods described above, you can use other Linux tools to customize remote desktop display. For example, you can use the `gnome-shell-extension` tool to manage extensions and customize the desktop display.<\/p>\n
          gnome-shell-extension --help<\/code><\/pre>\n
          Best Practices for Managing Remote Desktop Connections<\/h2>\n
          To ensure secure and efficient remote desktop connections, follow these best practices:<\/p>\n