Changing your username in Ubuntu can seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process if done correctly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to safely change your username and update your home directory.

Why Change Your Username?

Ubuntu and other Unix-like systems separate the username from the user ID (UID). This means you can change your username without affecting your files or permissions, as these are tied to your UID.

Steps to Change Your Username

1. Change the Username

It’s best to perform this step without being logged into the user account you wish to modify.

1. Open a terminal.
2. Use the usermod tool to change the username:

   sudo usermod -l newUsername oldUsername
   

   Note: This command only changes the username; it does not update the home directory.

2. Update the Home Directory

After changing the username, you’ll need to rename the home directory to reflect the new username:

1. Run the following command:

   sudo usermod -d /home/newHomeDir -m newUsername
   

This updates the home directory to /home/newHomeDir and moves existing files to the new location.

Additional Steps for Single User Accounts

If you only have one user account, you may encounter issues such as “You are already logged in.” To bypass this:

1. Create a Temporary User
   • Add a new user:

     sudo adduser temporary
     

   • Assign the temporary user to the sudo group:

     sudo adduser temporary sudo
     

2. Log Out and Switch Users
   • Log out and switch to the temporary account.
   • Use the temporary account to execute the usermod commands mentioned above.
3. Delete the Temporary User After updating your main account, delete the temporary user:

   sudo deluser temporary
   sudo rm -r /home/temporary
   

Handling References to Old Home Directory

Some files may still reference the old home directory. To address this:

• Create a Symlink:
  Point the old directory to the new one for backward compatibility:

  ln -s /home/newname /home/oldname
  

• Update References:
  Use sed to update file contents with the new directory:

  sed -i.bak 's/oldname/newname/g' list-of-files
  

  This command also creates a backup of each file with a .bak extension.

Key Points to Remember

• Kill Active Processes: Use the ps -u username command to find and kill processes tied to the old user:

  kill PID-number
  

• Verify Changes: Test the changes by logging into the updated user account.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can safely change your username and home directory in Ubuntu without losing access to your files or permissions. Whether you’re renaming for personal preference or system reorganization, the process is simple and effective.

If you’ve found this guide helpful, share your experience or tips in the comments below! 🚀

Ahmad Gohar

With over 18 years of experience in software architecture, Java technologies, and leadership, I specialize in crafting scalable, future-proof solutions for global organizations. Whether it’s transforming legacy systems, building cutting-edge cloud-native applications, or mentoring teams to excel, I’m committed to delivering value-driven results.

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