How to Become Root in Ubuntu

This updated guide examines How to Become Root in Ubuntu and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Running Root Commands with Sudo

1. PressCtrl+Alt+Tto open a terminal window. Because Ubuntu locks the root account by default, you cannot usesuto become root as you would in other Linux distributions.^[1]Instead, start your commands withsudo.
2. Typesudobefore the rest of your command. 'Sudo' stands for 'substitute user do.' When you add sudo to the beginning of a command, the command will run as root.
   • For example:sudo /etc/init.d/networking stopstops the network service, andsudo adduseradds a new user to the system. Both of these tasks require root access.
   • You will be prompted to enter your password before sudo runs the command. Linux stores your password for 15 minutes so you won't have to keep typing it.
3. Typegksudobefore running a command that opens a program with a Graphical User Interface (GUI). For security reasons, Ubuntu does not recommend using 'sudo' to open programs with GUIs.^[2]Instead, typegksudobefore the command that launches the program.
   • For example: typegksudo gedit /etc/fstabto open the "fstab" file in GEdit, an editing program with a GUI.
   • If you're using the KDE Window Manager, usekdesudoinstead ofgksudo.
4. Simulate a root environment. If you are an advanced user who needs access to an actual root shell to run specific scripts, simulate a root shell withsudo –i. This command will give you superuser access with root's environment variables.^[3]
   • Enter the commandsudo passwd root. This will create a password for root, essentially 'enabling' the account. Don't forget this password.
   • Typesudo -i. Enter the root password when prompted.
   • The prompt will change from$to#, indicating you have root access.
5. Givesudoaccess to another user. If you are setting up an account for someone who does not currently have root access, you will need to add their username to the sudo group. To do this, typeusermod -aG sudo username(but replace 'username' with the correct username).^[4]

Method 2of 2:

Enabling the Root User

1. PressCtrl+Alt+Tto open a terminal window. For security purposes (and to avoid damage), the root user account is locked by default. To safely run commands as root, you should usesudoorgksudoinstead. If you absolutely must have a separate root user (if it's required by a program used by your business, or this workstation will only be used by a single user), you can enable the root user with some simple commands.
   • Enabling the root user can put your system at risk and is not recommended by Ubuntu.^[5]
2. Typesudo passwd rootand press?Enter. You will be prompted to set a new password for the root user.^[6]Don't lose this password.
3. Enter a password, then press?Enter.
4. Retype the password when prompted, then press?Enter. The root user should now have a password.
5. Typesu -and press?Enter. Enter the root password when prompted to arrive at the root prompt.
   • To disable the root account, typesudo passwd -dl root.^[7]