Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, offers robust user management tools that allow administrators to efficiently control access to the system. Whether you’re setting up a new user account or removing an old one, understanding the process is crucial for maintaining a secure and organized environment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of adding and removing users on Ubuntu.
Adding Users
Create a New User
To add a new user, open a terminal window and use the adduser command. For example:
sudo adduser newusername
Follow the prompts to set a password and provide additional information if needed.
Grant Administrative Privileges
If you want to grant administrative privileges to the new user, add them to the sudo group:
sudo usermod -aG sudo newusername
This step allows the user to execute commands with elevated privileges.
Verify the New User
Log in as the new user to ensure the account was created successfully:
su - newusername
Removing Users
Remove User Account
To remove a user account, use the userdel command. This command only removes the user but leaves their home directory intact:
sudo userdel oldusername
Remove User Account and Home Directory
If you want to delete both the user account and its home directory, use the userdel command with the -r option:
sudo userdel -r oldusername
Additional User Management Tasks
Modify User Properties
Use the usermod command to modify user properties, such as the username, home directory, or shell:
sudo usermod -l newname oldname
Lock and Unlock User Accounts
Lock a user account to prevent login
sudo passwd -l username
Unlock a user account
sudo passwd -u username
View User Information
To display detailed information about a user, use the id command:
id username
Managing user accounts on Ubuntu is a fundamental skill for system administrators. Whether you are creating new users or cleaning up old accounts, the commands and steps outlined in this guide provide a solid foundation for effective user management. By following these practices, you can ensure a secure and organized Ubuntu system tailored to your specific needs.