[Linux] Bash userdel Usage: Remove user accounts

Overview

The userdel command is used in Linux to delete a user account from the system. When a user is deleted, their home directory and mail spool can also be removed, depending on the options used.

Usage

The basic syntax of the userdel command is as follows:

userdel [options] [username]

Common Options

• -r: Remove the user’s home directory and mail spool along with the user account.
• -f: Force the removal of the user account, even if the user is currently logged in.
• -Z: Remove any SELinux user mapping for the user account.

Common Examples

1. Delete a user without removing their home directory:

   userdel john
   

2. Delete a user and remove their home directory:

   userdel -r john
   

3. Forcefully delete a user who is currently logged in:

   userdel -f john
   

4. Delete a user and remove SELinux user mapping:

   userdel -Z john
   

Tips

• Always ensure that you have backed up any important data before deleting a user account.
• Use the -r option with caution, as it will permanently delete the user’s home directory and all its contents.
• Check if the user is logged in before deletion to avoid disrupting active sessions, unless you are using the -f option intentionally.