Did you know you can get a free, high-performance Linux desktop environment directly in your browser? By leveraging Google Cloud Shell and Docker, we can spin up a lightweight LXDE desktop that uses Google's lightning-fast internet connection.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access Cloud Shell
Go to console.cloud.google.com. Make sure you are logged in. In the top right toolbar, click the terminal icon to Activate Cloud Shell.
2. Prepare the Environment
Once the terminal is ready, check if Docker is installed. If not, install it using apt (though it is usually pre-installed in Cloud Shell).
sudo apt install docker3. Run the Desktop Container
We will use a Docker image that contains an Ubuntu LXDE desktop and a VNC server that is accessible via the web. Run this command:
docker run -p 6080:80 dorowu/ubuntu-desktop-lxde-vnc4. Access the Desktop
Click the "Web Preview" icon (looks like an eye) in the top right of the Cloud Shell toolbar. Select "Preview on port 8080", but since we mapped port 6080, you might need to select "Change port" and enter 6080.
A new tab will open with your Linux desktop!
