How to Administer Ubuntu Linux: Essential Tasks Guide

Getting Started with Your Ubuntu System

New to Ubuntu or need to configure basic system settings? This section covers essential tasks like changing your password, managing your touchpad, and setting your computer's name.

1 Steps to Change Your Password in Ubuntu Linux The article provides steps for changing one's password in Ubuntu Linux for security reasons or after forgetting the original password. This process can be carried out from the System Settings panel, through the Users tile, or via the command line terminal. The new password simultaneously updates the login, keyring password. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

2 How to Enable or Disable Touchpad in Ubuntu Linux The article provides detailed steps to enable or disable the touchpad on laptops running Ubuntu Linux. It explains how to access the settings via the System Settings panel and navigate to 'Mouse & Touchpad' to toggle the touchpad. An alternative method is described, using a third-party application called Touchpad Indicator, which offers more control, including automatic disablement while typing or when a mouse is connected. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

3 How to Change Hostname in Ubuntu 24.04 This article provides instructions on changing the hostname in Ubuntu 24.04. It emphasizes the importance of unique hostnames for device identification on a network. Users can change the hostname using the `hostnamectl` command and must also update the "/etc/hosts" file. A system reboot is required for changes to take effect. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Managing Users and Access

Learn how to control who can access your Ubuntu system and what they can do. This includes adding or removing users, changing their account privileges, and understanding how to switch between users or gain administrative rights.

1 How to Add or Remove a User on Ubuntu Linux The post provides detailed instructions on how to add or remove users on Ubuntu Linux, whether for system administrators or home users. It outlines two command-line tools namely "useradd" and "adduser", with elimination processes via "userdel" and "deluser" commands. The guide also presents steps for command line user addition and GUI-based application instructions for Ubuntu desktop user management. It further elucidates how to upgrade a user to administrator. 4 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Change Account Types in Ubuntu Linux The article provides a guide on how to change the account type in Ubuntu Linux, a multi-user operating system. Users can create either a Standard account or an Administrator account with this system. While a Standard account has basic permissions, an Administrator account gives full access to the PC. The process requires a few steps, including navigating through System Settings, selecting Users, unlocking, and adjusting the privileges. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

3 Working with Sudo and Su Commands in Ubuntu Linux The tutorial differentiates between the 'sudo' and 'su' commands in Ubuntu Linux and their application. 'Sudo', standing for superuser do or substitute user do, runs a high shell without the need for user identity, allowing commands to be run with root power. 'Su', or switch user, lets users change their current account to any account on the system, provided they know the account password. Both come with their own risks and precautions. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

System Services and Software

Dive into managing the services running on your Ubuntu machine and installing key software. This section helps determine what's active and gets powerful tools like Docker up and running.

1 How to list Services on Ubuntu Linux This tutorial guides students and new users on how to list or show all services running or stopped on Ubuntu 20.04 | 18.04 LTS. The guide explains the use of the systemctl command-line utility, which manages systemd services on Linux systems. The tutorial also includes instruction for starting, stopping, enabling, disabling, and checking service status, as well as listing all services. It concludes with how to manage services on previous Ubuntu versions using the service command. 4 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Install Docker Ubuntu: Terminal Commands The post provides a detailed tutorial on how to install Docker and Docker Compose on Ubuntu Linux. Docker, a software platform developed by Docker Inc., allows system-level virtualization and runs applications as containers. Docker Compose is a tool used for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. Instructions are given for adding Docker's official GPG key and repository to Ubuntu, removing older versions, installing specific or latest versions of Docker, and finally installing Docker Compose. 5 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

Advanced Configuration and Specific Tools

Explore more specialized administration tasks. This covers topics like managing system prompts, installing specialized server software, and handling specific application passwords.

1 How to Manage Logout Prompt on Ubuntu Linux The article offers a guide on how to toggle the logout prompt feature on Ubuntu Linux, ensuring users don't accidentally log out and lose unsaved changes. Users can turn this feature on or off through the gnome-session settings. This can be completed either via commands on the Terminal app or through the Dconf Editor tool for low-level system configurations. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Disable Logout on Ubuntu Desktop The article outlines steps to enable or disable the logout functionality on the Ubuntu desktop. Users can typically log out via the system menu on the top bar. However, to restrict this, users can disable the log out command through the Terminal app or the Dconf Editor tool. This manipulation is reversible and can be reset to its original state. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

3 How to Reset MySQL Root Password on Ubuntu This content provides a step-by-step guide to resetting or changing MySQL or MariaDB passwords on Ubuntu Linux. The tutorial addresses scenarios such as forgetting the root password in these databases and guides users through various command line instructions for password recovery, depending on the MySQL or MariaDB server's version being used. Additionally, it covers using the auth_socket plugin and explains how to restart the database servers after performing the necessary actions. 4 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

4 Step-by-Step Guide to Install XCP-ng on Your Server This tutorial teaches students how to install the XCP-ng virtualization server, an open-source Hypervisor platform developed from collective efforts between individuals and companies, and the XCP-ng management client. The guide outlines the benefits of XCP-ng for cloud management without unnecessary costs, and provides a step-by-step installation guide for Ubuntu users, including creating bootable USB or disk, accepting the user license agreement, configuring the server networking, and installing the XCP-ng center. 4 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Personalizing Your Ubuntu Desktop

This section focuses on making your Ubuntu desktop experience more personal. It includes a guide for a popular desktop customization tool.

1 Download Bing Wallpaper for Ubuntu Linux: A Quick Guide The article provides a guide on how to download and use Bing Wallpaper on Ubuntu Linux OS. Bing Wallpaper changes desktop background daily with new images from across the globe. Users can install this feature through the Extension Manager in the Ubuntu Software Center, allowing them to customize their desktops with Bing's ever-changing images. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Common questions

How do I change my password in Ubuntu?

Running the 'passwd' command in the terminal handles password updates, or User Accounts settings in the graphical interface works too. Entering the current password followed by the new password twice completes the process.

How do I add a new user to Ubuntu?

Adding a new user happens either through the Settings application under 'Users' or by using the `adduser` command in the terminal. This allows creation of a new account with its own home directory and settings.

What is the difference between 'sudo' and 'su'?

'Sudo' allows a permitted user to run a command as another user, typically the root user, without logging out. 'Su' switches to another user account entirely, often requiring the target user's password.

How can I see which services are running on Ubuntu?

Listing active services uses the `systemctl list-units --type=service` command in the terminal. This shows the status of various background processes managed by systemd (the system and service manager for Linux).

How do I disable the logout prompt in Ubuntu?

Disabling the logout prompt involves modifying system settings related to the login manager or desktop environment. Changing configuration files or using specific graphical tools achieves this goal.