Ubuntu / Debian
.deb package via sudo apt install ./WinDesk*.deb. The postinst script sets the udev rule for /dev/uinput, so remote mouse and keyboard work without sudo.
Swiss company · GDPR-compliant
Remote Desktop for Linux + Pi — from Switzerland
.deb for Ubuntu and Debian, .rpm for Fedora and RHEL, arm64 for Raspberry Pi 4/5. Wayland and X11 supported natively. Peer-to-peer, AES-256-GCM encrypted, GDPR-compliant.
Version 0.5.7 · Ubuntu 22.04+ · Debian 12+ · Fedora 39+ · RHEL 9+ · Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm
Linux distributions covered
Fedora / RHEL
.rpm package via sudo rpm -Uvh ./WinDesk*.rpm or sudo dnf install. SELinux profile included.
Raspberry Pi 4 / 5
arm64 .deb for Pi OS Bookworm 64-bit. At least 2 GB RAM. Education labs and maker setups are an explicit use case.
Wayland + X11
Portal-based capture on Wayland, MIT-SHM on X11. No compositor hacks.
Picture, audio and usage data
WinDesk transmits the picture with its own lossless screen codec and the audio with Opus. WinDesk sends only technical, non-personal usage data (platform, version, session duration) — no content, no input. With a subscription you can switch this off.
Use cases — what Linux users do with it
- IT service providers with a Linux server fleet: remote login for maintenance on Linux machines, without SSH tunnels or bastion servers. Cross-NAT goes straight to P2P.
- Education and universities: look after Pi labs for embedded courses remotely. The teacher sees the student's Pi screen and can step in.
- Makers and DIY: Pi-based home automation, 3D printer controllers, running a Synology NAS — all remotely.
- Linux desktop support: family on Ubuntu? Install WinDesk Host, authorise once, done. No more explaining SSH.
- CI and build farms: build machines are often Linux. WinDesk Host provides unattended access for build diagnosis, without a VPN.
Requirements
- Linux kernel 5.15+ (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer, Debian 12 Bookworm, Fedora 39+, RHEL 9+, Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm)
- x86_64 or arm64 (Pi 4/5)
- Graphical session: X11, or Wayland with wlroots, GNOME or KDE (host mode)
- ~80 MB disk footprint after installation
- Internet — pure P2P; only the connection brokering runs over our Swiss server, never screen data. If both sides sit behind symmetric NAT, a direct connection may not establish (no media relay)
Try WinDesk on Linux
Free plan with 2 hours per month, no account needed. Light from CHF 19.90/month, Pro CHF 29.90/month.
Frequently asked questions
Which Linux distributions are supported?
Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 39+, RHEL 9+ via .deb / .rpm packages. Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm 64-bit on Pi 4 and Pi 5 via .deb arm64. AppImage builds will follow.
Does WinDesk work on Wayland and X11?
Yes. On X11 it uses MIT-SHM capture, on Wayland portal-based screen capture. Without compositor hacks.
Does the Linux host need root or sudo?
No. Screen capture runs as the user. Remote mouse and keyboard use /dev/uinput; the .deb/.rpm postinst sets its udev rule once, after which membership of the input group is enough.
Does WinDesk run on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, Pi 4 and Pi 5 with at least 2 GB RAM via arm64 .deb. Maker setups and education labs are an explicit use case.