An X server, Xming, is installed on most of our Windows systems. This lets you display window-based applications from remote Unix or Linux systems on your Windows screen. The best way to use it is in conjunction with SSH.

Find the XMing Launcher in the windows start menu:

When the launcher opens, choose the default “multiple windows” option, and click Next:

In the next window, change the selected option to “Start a program” and click Next:

In the start a program window, type the name of the Unix/Linux program you want to run. The program “xterm” opens a shell prompt window, where you can run more programs, so it is a good choice. Below that, choose Using Putty, in the remote section. For server to connect to, you can enter any Unix/Linux machine, or ssh.physics.umn.edu for the general department computing server. Fill in your physics username and password, and click Next:

Leave all the parameters options blank, and click Next:

Now click Finish, and your connection will be started:

The first time you use it, you will see a box to verify the certificate is correct for the server you are connecting to. You can click “Yes” and it will remember this host for next time: