Windows runas /user equivalent in Linux
Executes one command or opens a login shell using another user account.
runas /user
sudo -u USER command
sudo -u USER command
sudo -u USER command
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "runas /user" is used to run a command as another user. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "sudo -u USER command". Executes one command or opens a login shell using another user account. This reference is grouped under Security & Permissions → Users & Groups.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows runas /user maps to sudo -u USER command for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
Elevated privilege appears in this workflow
At least one example uses sudo. Confirm the target path, device, service or package before running the elevated form; do not add sudo simply to bypass an unexplained permission error.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux permissions for Windows users.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Run a command as another user
Executes one command or opens a login shell using another user account.
sudo -u www-data id
Run one command as www-data
sudo -u postgres psql
Open a program as postgres
sudo su - alice
Open Alice’s login shell
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sudo -u www-data id
sudo -u postgres psql
sudo su - alice
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
sudo -u www-data id # run one command as another user
sudo -u postgres psql # launch a program under a service account
sudo su - alice # open another user’s login shellReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
sudo -u www-data id | Run one command as www-data |
sudo -u postgres psql | Open a program as postgres |
sudo su - alice | Open Alice’s login shell |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "sudo -u USER command" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | sudo -u USER command |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | sudo -u USER command |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | sudo -u USER command |
Same command on this distribution. |
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