Managing Users & Groups


Create ubuntu user with home folder

Use adduser command, since it creates home directory, password and other tasks where the other command does not!
sudo adduser emperor_penguin_of_japan
Replace emperor_penguin_of_japan with other name if you wish.

Delete ubuntu user with home folder

This will delete all user data including files, in the terminal.
*Please make sure that all user processes are killed before deleting a user!*
sudo userdel -r ubuntu
Replace ubuntu with the name of the user you want to delete. Source + Date:
https://linoxide.com/linux-command/how-delete-remove-user-ubuntu/
Fall 2020

How to add existing user to an existing group?:

sudo usermod -a -G groupName userName

Notes: The useradd command will try to add a new user.
Since your user already exists this is not what you want. Instead: To modify an existing user,
like adding that user to a new group, use the usermod command.

The -a (append) switch is essential. Otherwise, the user will be removed from any groups, not in the list.
The -G switch takes a (comma-separated) list of additional groups to assign the user to.
You will need to log that user out for changes to be applied.

Source + date:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/79565/how-to-add-existing-user-to-an-existing-group#79566
December 14th, 2020

How to add user to sudo group

This is the most simplest way to get user sudo privileges
(As logged in as route or another user with current sudo privileges):
sudo usermod -a -G sudo emperor_penguin_of_japan
(emperor_penguin_of_japan is swaped with the name of the user you want to add)
Date figured out: December 14th, 2020
Source for general usermod info: https://askubuntu.com/questions/79565/how-to-add-existing-user-to-an-existing-group#79566

Change user password

This can be used on a root or normal account:
passwd
To change password of another user:
sudo passwd emperor_penguin_of_japan
(emperor_penguin_of_japan is swaped with the name of the user you want to add)
Date: September 22nd 2021
Source: https://linuxize.com/post/how-to-change-user-password-in-linux/

Lists Users & Groups in Ubuntu:

For Users:
compgen -u
For Groups:
compgen -g
Date: February 8th, 2023
Source: https://askubuntu.com/questions/515103/how-can-i-display-all-users-and-groups-with-a-command#515104

Create Group

Create a new user group by using this command:
groupadd [OPTIONS] GROUPNAME
Date: May 7th 2023
Source: https://linuxize.com/post/how-to-create-groups-in-linux/

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