How to Manage Users in Linux

Method 1 of 4:

Type adduser -d /home/users/ into the command line.
- Example: adduser bob -d /home/users/bob
Type passwd and press return to set a password for the new user.
1. Type the new password.
2. Confirm the password.

Method 2 of 4:

Type passwd in the command line.
Enter the new password for the user.
- Note: the cursor will not move however your password is being typed.
Confirm the new password.

Method 3 of 4:

Type userdel into the command line to delete a user.
- Example: userdel bob
Type userdel -r to also delete their home folder and files.

Method 4 of 4:

sudo: Switch User and Do
- Executes a command as root or another use while maintaining your current session.
su: Switch User
- Switches your session to another user.

Type sudo before a command to execute the command as the root user. You will be prompted for a password.
- Example: sudo apt-get install telnet
Type sudo before a command to execute the command as another user on the system. You will be promoted for that users password.
- Example: sudo bob telnet localhost 22
Type su to switch your command line session to the root user. You will be promoted for a password.
- Type logout to switch back.
Type su to switch your command line session to another user. You will be promoted for their password.
- Type logout to switch back.

Unlike Windows, as a Unix-like system, Linux was conceived of as a multi-user system from its inception. The following sections deal with user management through the Linux command line. Type adduser -d /home/users/ into the command line.