# How to Deploy Cendio ThinLinc on Zorin OS

**URL:** <https://community.thinlinc.com/t/how-to-deploy-cendio-thinlinc-on-zorin-os/1819>\
**Category:** Blog\
**Tags:** zorinos, linuxvdi, thinlinc\
**Created:** [23 December 2025 08:12 UTC](https://community.thinlinc.com/t/how-to-deploy-cendio-thinlinc-on-zorin-os/1819 "2025-12-23T08:12:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hitesh\_Jethva](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/community.thinlinc.com/hitesh_jethva/32/799_2.png) [@Hitesh\_Jethva](https://community.thinlinc.com/u/Hitesh_Jethva)\
**Post date:** [23 December 2025 08:12 UTC](https://community.thinlinc.com/t/how-to-deploy-cendio-thinlinc-on-zorin-os/1819/1 "2025-12-23T08:12:37Z")

</div>

ThinLinc is a powerful Linux-based remote desktop (VDI) solution that lets multiple users connect to a single Linux machine using a browser or native client. Zorin OS, with its polished GNOME-based desktop, pairs very well with ThinLinc to create a clean, stable remote desktop environment.

In this guide, you’ll deploy a full ThinLinc server on Zorin OS, configure user access, create a Zorin desktop profile, open the required firewall ports, and finally access the desktop directly from a web browser.

## Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

- A fresh Zorin OS system (desktop or server with GUI installed)

- Root or sudo access

- Internet connectivity

- A static or public IP address (recommended for remote access)

## Step 1: Create a Dedicated ThinLinc User

ThinLinc works best when you avoid using the root account for daily administration and login sessions. Instead, you’ll create a non-root user that will handle ThinLinc administration and user sessions.

1. Create the user.

```auto
adduser john

```

You’ll be prompted to set a password and, optionally, fill in user details such as full name and phone number. These fields are optional and can be skipped.

2. ThinLinc installation and configuration require administrative commands, so add the user to the sudo group:

```auto
usermod -aG sudo john

```

This allows the user to run commands with sudo when needed.

## Step 2: Update the Secure Path for ThinLinc

ThinLinc installs binaries under /opt/thinlinc. By default, this path is not included in sudo’s secure path, which can cause command-not-found issues during setup and administration.

Open the sudoers file safely using nano:

```auto
nano /etc/sudoers

```

Find the line that starts with:

```auto
Defaults secure_path=

```

Update it to include ThinLinc directories:

```auto
Defaults secure_path="/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/snap/bin:/opt/thinlinc/bin:/opt/thinlinc/sbin"

```

Save the file and exit.

## Step 3: Switch to the ThinLinc Admin User

Now log in as the newly created user:

```auto
su - john

```

From this point onward, you’ll install and configure ThinLinc as this user.

## Step 4: Install the ThinLinc Server

ThinLinc provides the VDI layer that allows users to connect to your Zorin OS system using a browser or ThinLinc client.

1. Download the ThinLinc server package.

```auto
wget https://www.cendio.com/downloads/server/tl-4.19.0-server.zip

```

2. Extract the package.

```auto
unzip tl-4.19.0-server.zip
cd tl-4.19.0-server

```

3. Start the installation.

```auto
sudo ./install-server

```

You’ll be prompted for your password. If GTK+ is unavailable, the installer will automatically fall back to text mode:

```auto
[sudo] password for john:

```

Press Enter to continue through the installer.

**The installer will:**

- Verify system libraries

- Install missing dependencies

- Configure NFS client support

- Install GTK+, PyGObject, and Python LDAP modules automatically

Answer **Yes** whenever prompted to auto-install missing packages. After installation, the setup wizard launches automatically.

**Accept the license.**

```auto
Do you accept the terms of the license agreement [yes/No]? yes

```

**Choose server type.**

Select Master since this is the primary server that users will connect to:

```auto
Server type [Master/agent]? Master

```

**Configure external access.**

Choose IP address so ThinLinc advertises the correct reachable address:

```auto
Externally reachable address to use [ip/hostname/manual]? ip

```

**Set up the admin password.**

The ThinLinc Web Administration runs on port 1010. The default username is admin. Enter your desired password.

```auto
Web Administration password? ******

```

**Set administrator email.**

```auto
Administrator email []? hitjethva@gmail.com

```

This email receives license and system alerts.

**Enable AppArmor support.**

```auto
Install AppArmor configuration [Yes/no]? Yes

```

ThinLinc will automatically configure and start all required services.

**Press Enter to complete the installation.**

```auto
ThinLinc has been setup
=======================

The ThinLinc Web Administration is available at https://localhost:1010,
and the configuration files are located in /opt/thinlinc/etc/conf.d/.
Icons for the ThinLinc Web Access, ThinLinc Web Administration and
ThinLinc setup have been added to the menu.

Visit https://www.cendio.com/thinlinc/support for information on how to
contact us.

Press Enter to continue...

```

Confirm that all ThinLinc services are running correctly:

```auto
sudo systemctl status vsmserver
sudo systemctl status vsmagent
sudo systemctl status tlwebaccess
sudo systemctl status tlwebadm

```

Each service should show an active (running) status.

## Step 5: Create a Zorin Desktop Profile

ThinLinc does not include a Zorin profile by default. Without this step, users won’t see Zorin as a selectable desktop environment.

Edit the profiles configuration.

```auto
sudo nano /opt/thinlinc/etc/conf.d/profiles.hconf

```

Locate this line:

```auto
order=unity ubuntu gnome gnome-classic kde xfce cinnamon mate lxde

```

Replace it with:

```auto
order=unity ubuntu gnome gnome-classic kde xfce cinnamon mate lxde zorin

```

Append the following block at the end of the file:

```auto
[/profiles/zorin]
xdg_session=zorin
name=Zorin
description=The Zorin desktop environment
screenshot=
cmdline=
testcmd=
description_from_testcmd=false

```

Save the file and reboot the system to apply the changes.

## Step 6: Configure the Firewall for ThinLinc

ThinLinc requires several ports for SSH, web access, client connections, and administration.

**Required ports**

- **22** – SSH

- **300** – Web Access

- **9000** – ThinLinc client

- **1010** – Web Administration

Allow the ports with UFW.

```auto
sudo ufw allow 22
sudo ufw allow 300
sudo ufw allow 9000
sudo ufw allow 1010

```

Enable the firewall if it’s not already active:

```auto
sudo ufw enable

```

Verify the rules:

```auto
sudo ufw status numbered

```

## Step 7: Access ThinLinc via Web Browser

With everything configured, you can now access your Zorin desktop remotely.

1. Open your web browser on your local system and access the Zorin remote desktop using the URL **[https://your-server-ip:300](https://your-server-ip:300).** You will be redirected to the Zorin desktop login screen.

 ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/thinlinc/original/1X/655cb383b7be90797c2442bb795f98285ebe6cec.png)

2. Enter the following details in the login screen.

**Username** – john (or another user you created).  
**Password** – the user’s password.

3. Click **Login.** You will see the ThinLinc profile chooser screen.

 ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/thinlinc/original/1X/6236673896a330658a206d14ea8915955e952371.png)

4. Click **Start** and you will be redirected to the Zorin desktop session inside your web browser.

 ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/thinlinc/original/1X/37fdc04147990e0832a5d995b0510931b12f5c16.jpeg)

## Conclusion

Deploying ThinLinc on Zorin OS gives you a clean, modern, and highly stable Linux remote desktop solution. You now have a system where multiple users can securely log in through a browser or client, run full desktop sessions, and manage everything through a web-based admin panel.