Windows
Linux
PowerShell Equivalents
Users & Groups
Windows PowerShell Get-LocalUser equivalent in Linux
Lists user accounts known through local files and configured identity services.
Windows
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PowerShell Get-LocalUser
Linux equivalents
getent passwd
getent passwd
getent passwd
Overview
What this command does
Lists user accounts known through local files and configured identity services.
Migration tip:
getent respects NSS configuration, so it can include LDAP or other directory users in addition to local /etc/passwd entries.Practical tasks
Common use cases
List local and directory users
Lists user accounts known through local files and configured identity services.
getent passwd
List known user accounts
getent passwd kris
Look up one user
cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd
List local usernames only
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
getent passwd
getent passwd kris
cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
getent passwd # list known users
getent passwd kris # look up one account
cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd # list local usernamesReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
getent passwd | List known user accounts |
getent passwd kris | Look up one user |
cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd | List local usernames only |
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 | getent passwd |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | getent passwd |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | getent passwd |
Same command on this distribution. |
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