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How to Manage Users in Linux

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.

Author: Micah Soto2 minutes read
Table of Contents
Method 1 of 4:

Adding Users

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    Type adduser -d /home/users/ into the command line.
    1. Example: adduser bob -d /home/users/bob
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    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:

Modifying Users

Changing Passwords

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    Type passwd in the command line.
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    Enter the new password for the user.
    1. Note: the cursor will not move however your password is being typed.
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    Confirm the new password.
Method 3 of 4:

Removing Users

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    Type userdel into the command line to delete a user.
    1. Example: userdel bob
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    Type userdel -r to also delete their home folder and files.
Method 4 of 4:

Sudo and Su

Terms

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

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

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