Windows Linux Security & Permissions Users & Groups

Windows `net user` equivalent in Linux

Adds new users, changes user properties, and manages user accounts on the system.

Windows net user

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Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

useradd / usermod

Fedora same command

useradd / usermod

Arch same command

useradd / usermod

Overview

What this command does

Adds new users, changes user properties, and manages user accounts on the system.

Migration tip: Use adduser (note: no dash) instead of useradd on Debian/Ubuntu — it's friendlier and sets up the home directory interactively.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Create and manage user accounts

Adds new users, changes user properties, and manages user accounts on the system.

adduser username

Create user interactively (recommended)

useradd -m username

Create user with home directory

usermod -aG group user

Add user to a group

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

sudo adduser john

sudo passwd john

sudo usermod -aG sudo john

sudo usermod -aG wheel john

sudo userdel -r john

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows: net user john Password1 /add
sudo adduser john               # create user (interactive)
sudo passwd john               # set/change password

# Add to sudo group (give admin rights):
sudo usermod -aG sudo john    # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo usermod -aG wheel john   # Fedora/RHEL

# Delete user:
sudo userdel -r john          # remove user + home dir

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`adduser username`	Create user interactively (recommended)
`useradd -m username`	Create user with home directory
`usermod -aG group user`	Add user to a group
`passwd username`	Set or change user password
`userdel -r username`	Delete user and their home directory
`cat /etc/passwd`	List all user accounts

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.

Distribution	Package manager / base	Equivalent command	Difference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu	same command	`useradd / usermod`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`useradd / usermod`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`useradd / usermod`	Same command on this distribution.

Keep learning

What this command does

Common use cases

Create and manage user accounts

adduser username

useradd -m username

usermod -aG group user

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Related Security & Permissions commands