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I'm logged into an Ubuntu 14.04 server remotely with ssh. I'm trying to find out which Desktop Environment is running. When I do the following, nothing happens:

admin@server:~$ echo $DESKTOP_SESSION
admin@server:~$ echo $XDG_CURRENT_SESSION
admin@server:~$

I know for a fact that there is a desktop running on the server. I saw it this morning, but now I'm 5 miles away.

jgeorges
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  • I believe that is what you want. – TheWanderer Aug 18 '16 at 23:35
  • To be clear, the question of the dupe target ostensibly mentions "window manager" but there are many answers there that actually check for desktop environments. – edwinksl Aug 18 '16 at 23:45
  • "I know for a fact that there is a desktop running on the server" <<< How do you know that? Maybe it's just a wm with various embellishments giving the impression that there's a desktop environment. – DK Bose Aug 19 '16 at 01:51
  • why would there be a desktop on a server?
    • – Rinzwind Aug 19 '16 at 08:40
  • ls /usr/bin/*session would be what I would use. see http://askubuntu.com/questions/125062/how-can-i-find-which-desktop-enviroment-i-am-using – Rinzwind Aug 19 '16 at 08:43