Windows
Linux
Security & Permissions
Users & Groups
Windows runas /user equivalent in Linux
Executes one command or opens a login shell using another user account.
Windows
→
runas /user
Linux equivalents
sudo -u USER command
sudo -u USER command
sudo -u USER command
Overview
What this command does
Executes one command or opens a login shell using another user account.
Migration tip: Use
sudo -u for one controlled command. Use su - USER when you need a full login shell and know the target user password or have root access.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
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 | 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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