How to: Add a new user

Hello, in my first post i will explain how to add a new user to your system.

Difficult: easy
Avg Time: 1 min


Linux have a built in command called "useradd" that help people to add new user to the system.
To add a new user you must be logged as root or you will need to use sudo.
I will give some of the must useful examples.

Syntax: useradd options name

Example 1: Add new user to the system

useradd -r ricardo

Example 2: Add new user and do not create home directory (/home)

useradd -rM ricardo

Example 3: Add new user and create home directory in /home

useradd -rm ricardo

Example 4: Add new user and specify the home directory

useradd -rd /somedir/somedir ricardo

Example 5: Add a user and create a group with the same name

useradd -rn /somedir/somedir ricardo

Example 6: Add a user and add user to existent group

useradd -r -g groupname ricardo

Example 7: Add a user, create home directory and a group with same name

useradd -rmn ricardo

If you would like to set a password for the user i recommend you to use the passwd command instead of the -p option of useradd command.

Example 8: Create new user and set the password

useradd -rm ricardo

passwd ricardo

That's the way i use to add new user and set user password, if you have any other suggestion please post it as comment