How do you install XRDP on Arch Linux?

XRDP is in the AUR, not the official repos. Install yay first (an AUR helper), then run "yay -S xrdp xorgxrdp". This builds and installs XRDP with proper Xorg integration for Arch.

Why does Arch WSL start as root and how do you create a user?

The Arch WSL image starts as root for initial setup. Create a user with "useradd -m -G wheel username", set a password with "passwd username", and configure sudo. Then set this user as default in /etc/wsl.conf.

What is the advantage of Arch Linux on WSL2?

Arch provides the latest packages through rolling releases and access to the AUR (Arch User Repository) with thousands of community packages. It's ideal for developers who want cutting-edge software and full system control.

Arch Linux Desktop on WSL2: Complete XRDP Setup Guide

Arch Linux brings rolling releases and the AUR to WSL2. If you want the latest packages and complete control over your system, Arch is hard to beat. The setup requires a few extra steps—creating a user, building packages from AUR—but the result is a lean, up-to-date desktop.

Why Arch on WSL2?

Rolling release—always the latest packages
AUR (Arch User Repository)—massive package collection
Minimal base—install only what you need
Excellent documentation—the Arch Wiki is legendary
Learning opportunity—understand Linux internals

Prerequisites

Windows 10 (version 2004+) or Windows 11
WSL2 installed and working
Arch Linux from Microsoft Store or WSL UI

Installing Arch Linux

Arch is available in the Microsoft Store. Install it through WSL UI for easier management.

Or via command line:

powershell

wsl --install -d archlinux

Critical First Step: Create a User

The Microsoft Store Arch image boots as root with no regular user. You must create one—makepkg (needed for AUR packages) refuses to run as root.

bash

# Create user with wheel group (for sudo)
useradd -m -s /bin/bash -G wheel yourname
passwd yourname

# Enable wheel group sudo (uncomment NOPASSWD line)
sed -i 's/^# %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL/%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL/' /etc/sudoers

# Set as default WSL user
cat >> /etc/wsl.conf << 'EOF'
[user]
default=yourname
EOF

Restart WSL to apply:

powershell

wsl --terminate archlinux

Step 1: Install Base Development Tools

bash

sudo pacman -Syu --noconfirm base-devel git

Step 2: Install yay (AUR Helper)

The xrdp package is in the AUR, not official repos. Install yay to manage AUR packages:

bash

cd /tmp
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si --noconfirm

Step 3: Install XFCE Desktop

bash

sudo pacman -S --noconfirm xfce4 xfce4-goodies

Step 4: Install XRDP from AUR

bash

yay -S --noconfirm xrdp xorgxrdp

This builds and installs xrdp from the AUR.

Step 5: Configure XRDP

Change the Port

bash

sudo sed -i 's/^port=3389/port=3390/' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

Fix X11 Socket (If Needed)

bash

[ -L /tmp/.X11-unix ] && sudo rm /tmp/.X11-unix
sudo mkdir -p /tmp/.X11-unix && sudo chmod 1777 /tmp/.X11-unix

Step 6: Create xinitrc

Arch uses .xinitrc, not .xsession—this is critical:

bash

echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc
chmod +x ~/.xinitrc

The exec is important for proper session handling.

Step 7: Enable and Start XRDP

bash

sudo systemctl enable xrdp xrdp-sesman --now

Step 8: Connect

Open Remote Desktop Connection on Windows (Win+R, type mstsc)
Enter localhost:3390
Log in with your Arch username and password

Quick Reference

bash

# As root, create user first
useradd -m -s /bin/bash -G wheel yourname && passwd yourname
sed -i 's/^# %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL/%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL/' /etc/sudoers
echo -e "[user]\ndefault=yourname" >> /etc/wsl.conf
# Then: wsl --terminate Arch

# As regular user
sudo pacman -Syu --noconfirm base-devel git
cd /tmp && git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git && cd yay && makepkg -si --noconfirm
sudo pacman -S --noconfirm xfce4 xfce4-goodies
yay -S --noconfirm xrdp xorgxrdp
sudo sed -i 's/^port=3389/port=3390/' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
echo "exec startxfce4" > ~/.xinitrc
sudo systemctl enable xrdp xrdp-sesman --now

# Connect: mstsc → localhost:3390

Arch-Specific Gotchas

Issue	Solution
Running as root	Create a regular user (Step: Create a User)
makepkg refuses to run	Don't run as root—use regular user
xrdp package not found	It's in AUR—install yay first
Session drops immediately	Use `.xinitrc` not `.xsession`, include `exec`
Black screen	Check X11 socket symlink, verify `.xinitrc` exists

Keeping Arch Updated

bash

# Update everything (including AUR packages)
yay -Syu

# Just official repos
sudo pacman -Syu

Troubleshooting

For deeper issues—black screens, connection problems, display errors—see the comprehensive WSL2 Desktop Troubleshooting Guide.

This Series

Part 1: Running Linux GUI Apps with WSLg
Part 2: Ubuntu Desktop with XRDP
Part 3: Fedora Desktop with XRDP
Part 4: Kali Linux Desktop with Win-KeX
Part 5: Arch Linux Desktop with XRDP — You are here
Part 6: openSUSE Desktop with XRDP
Part 7: Alpine Linux Desktop with XRDP
Part 8: WSL2 Desktop Troubleshooting Guide