Ubuntu creates a new user for server setup | Linux user add sudo

When you first set up a Linux or Ubuntu server, one of the most important steps is creating a new user. Almost every cloud provider gives root access by default, but using the root account every day isn’t a smart idea. One wrong command can break the whole system. That’s why it’s better to use a normal user and give them elevated access only when required ubuntu create new user.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to ubuntu create new user, how to provide sudo access, how to manage groups, and other useful tips. We’ll also look at the difference between adduser and useradd, plus a couple of comparison tables to make things easier.

By the end, you’ll be able to linux create new user for your server, grant permissions properly, and keep your setup clean and secure.

Why creating a new user matters

Every server needs some structure. If multiple people work on the same machine, having only the root account is risky. You can’t tell who made what changes, and there’s no limit on commands.

Creating a new user helps with:

• Security
  
  
• Control
  
  
• Auditing
  
  
• Easy management
  
  
• Preventing accidental mistakes
  

Even if you’re the only person using the server, it’s still safer to work with a normal user and only use sudo when needed.

ubuntu create new user: getting started

Ubuntu gives you two simple ways to add new users:

• adduser
  
  
• useradd
  

Both are useful, but adduser is more friendly for beginners.

Method 1: Create a user with adduser (beginner-friendly)

Most admins prefer adduser because it guides you step by step.

sudo adduser username

You’ll be prompted to set a password and add optional details.

That’s it. Your new user is now active.

But it cannot run admin commands yet. To fix that, we’ll add it to the sudo group soon.

Method 2: Create a user with useradd (more manual)

For automation or advanced work, you might choose user add.

This creates a user and sets a password.


It works well for scripts and advanced setups.

Comparison: adduser vs useradd

If you’re new to Ubuntu, adduser is the safer choice.


If you’re writing scripts, go with useradd.

Linux user add sudo

A user created using the Ubuntu create new user process won’t have admin rights. That’s good for safety, but at some point, you’ll need to run commands that require elevated privileges.

To give sudo access:

sudo usermod -aG sudo username

This adds them to the sudo group.
Then they can run commands like:

sudo apt update

Why not use root all the time?

Root has full access. One wrong command and you could wipe your server’s filesystem or break important services.

Using a normal user keeps you safe. You only elevate permissions when needed.

How to make a user on Ubuntu

Sometimes you may want to create a user called ubuntu, especially when you’re moving from a default cloud image that originally uses that name.

To create this user:

sudo adduser ubuntu

Then give sudo rights:

sudo usermod -aG sudo ubuntu

Now you have a standard admin user without logging in as root.

Add a user to the group Ubuntu

Groups help you manage access. After you make user ubuntu or any other user, you may want to add them to different groups to give them capabilities without giving full sudo.

To add a user:

sudo usermod -aG groupname username

For sudo group:

sudo usermod -aG sudo username

To check what groups a user belongs to:

groups username

Useful groups on Ubuntu

Groups allow you to give only the permissions a user needs.


That’s helpful if you’re managing teams or production servers.

Log in using the new user

After creating your user, switch from root:

su - username

Or if you’re connecting remotely:

ssh username@server-ip

If SSH keys are needed, we’ll cover that next.

Add SSH keys for secure access

Passwords work, but SSH keys are safer.

To set up:

1. Create user (or choose existing user)
   
   
2. Make an SSH folder
   
   
3. Add public key
   
   
   

sudo mkdir /home/username/.ssh

sudo nano /home/username/.ssh/authorized_keys

Paste the public key, then set permissions:

sudo chown -R username: username /home/username/.ssh

sudo chmod 700 /home/username/.ssh

sudo chmod 600 /home/username/.ssh/authorized_keys

Now your new user can access the server using SSH keys.

Testing sudo access

To make sure everything works:

sudo apt update

If it asks for the user’s password and runs normally, you’re good.

If not, check the groups:

groups username

They must be in the sudo group.

Disable or delete users

If someone leaves the team or you no longer need an account, remove it.

Delete user:

sudo deluser username

Delete user with home directory:

sudo deluser –remove-home username

If you don’t want to delete them, only lock access:

sudo usermod -L username

This keeps their files intact.

Linux creates a new user with a home directory

By default, adduser creates a home folder.

But if you’re using useradd, you need to specify:

sudo useradd -m username

This sets up a folder at /home/username.

Linux user add sudo vs root

A quick comparison:

A sudo user still provides control, but with a layer of protection.

Best practices

These simple habits make your work smoother and safer:

• Avoid using root unless needed
  
  
• Use sudo only for important tasks
  
  
• Create separate users for different teams
  
  
• Add users to the proper groups
  
  
• Remove users quickly when access is no longer required
  
  
• Use SSH keys instead of passwords
  
  

Small details like these build long-term server health.

Troubleshooting

User not in sudo group

Fix:

sudo usermod -aG sudo username

Permission denied

Fix:

sudo chown user: user filename

SSH key login not working

Check key folder ownership and permissions.

Most issues come from typos or permission settings.

Ubuntu creates a new user with useradd and a password

If you want to create a user and set a password right away:

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash username

sudo passwd username

This creates a shell, home directory, and password.

Create a user for the server application

If you’re installing web apps, running databases, or managing code, create dedicated service users.

Example:

For Nginx or Apache deployments, use www-data.

This keeps everything cleaner and safer.

Quick recap

You’ve learned how to:

• Run Ubuntu create a new user
  
  
• Use adduser and useradd
  
  
• Assign sudo to Linux user add sudo
  
  
• Make user ubuntu
  
  
• Add a user to the group ubuntu
  
  
• Use SSH keys
  
  
• Remove or disable users
  
  
• Follow best practices
  
  

User management might seem small, but it’s one of the most important things when running a server.

Conclusion

Creating a new user is one of the first things you should do when setting up your Ubuntu or Linux server. It keeps the environment safe, organized, and easier to maintain. You now know how to run the Ubuntu create new user process, add sudo privileges with Linux user add sudo, and add users to groups like add user to group ubuntu.

Take a few minutes to set things up properly now, and your server will stay secure in the long run.

If you’re planning to explore more server tutorials or want hosting that comes ready for development, now is a good time to take the next step.

Start creating users and secure your Linux server today.

Frequently Asked Questions