Managing user accounts is a fundamental task for Linux system administrators. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to:
- Create new admin (sudo) users
- Delete users and their home directories
- Verify permissions and troubleshoot common issues
Whether you’re cleaning up old accounts or setting up a new system, these commands ensure proper user management while maintaining security. All examples include terminal snippets ready for copy-pasting.
How to Create a New Admin User in Linux
To create a new admin (sudo) user, follow these steps:
sudo adduser newusername
Follow prompts to set a password and user details. Make sure to replace newusername in command with your desired username.
sudo usermod -aG sudo newusername
#Debian/Ubuntu
or
sudo usermod -aG wheel newusername
#CentOS/RHEL
su - newusername
sudo whoami
#Should return “your user”
If using SSH, ensure the new user can log in:
sudo cp -r ~/.ssh /home/newusername/
sudo chown -R newusername:newusername /home/newusername/.ssh
Delete User/Admins account
To delete a user and their home directory in Linux, follow these steps and run relevant command:
sudo ps -u osboxes
sudo killall -u osboxes
sudo userdel -r osboxes
-r
removes the user’s home directory and mail spool.
sudo ls /home
#Check if home directory is deleted
id osboxes
#Check if user still exists (should return “no such user”)
Alternative: Manage Users via GUI Settings
While terminal commands offer precision, Linux also provides graphical tools to delete users and create admin accounts:
- Open Settings → Users & Groups (or System Settings → User Accounts).
- To Delete a User:
- Select the user → Click "Remove" or the minus (－) button.
- Check
"Delete Files"to remove the home directory.
- To Create an Admin:
- Click "Add User" → Set account type to "Administrator".
- Assign a password and permissions.
Note: GUI options vary by distro (GNOME/KDE) and require sudo privileges. For servers or advanced control, terminal commands remain essential.