Xming

Xming is a Windows-based display server implementing the X Window System. It allows X11 applications running on a remote computer to be displayed on a Windows desktop by serving as the local X server. In typical use, Xming renders the graphical output from X clients and forwards input events back to the remote host.

The software is commonly used in conjunction with SSH clients to provide X11 forwarding. Users install Xming (often together with the Xming-fonts package for expanded font support), start the Xming server, and then run remote X11 applications with forwarding enabled. The local Windows machine presents the remote graphical interface through the Xming display.

Xming is designed to be lightweight and straightforward to install on standard Windows environments. It supports multiple display configurations and aims to provide a simple, standalone X server experience for Windows users who need to run Linux or Unix graphical applications over a network.

History and context: Xming emerged as a practical Windows port of the X.Org X server to provide an accessible X server for Windows users. Over time, other Windows-based X servers and solutions—such as Cygwin/X and VcXsrv—have competed for similar use cases, offering different feature sets and deployment options. Xming remains a commonly referenced option for users seeking a straightforward X server on Windows.

Related projects include Cygwin/X, VcXsrv, and the broader X.Org X server ecosystem.