📖Manage User Accounts
Let them in... if you want to.
When you install elementary OS, you create a user account which by default is the system administrator. As administrator with permissions to do anything in the system, you can add more accounts if the computer is supposed to be used by several persons (family, office, etc.).
Why Multiple Accounts Required
Creating multiple accounts is considered a good practice, and here are a few cases to prove that:
User Privacy: Each user can maintain their privacy by keeping personal files, applications, and settings separate from others.
User Customization: Each user can customize the account according to their preferences, such as desktop wallpaper, theme, application settings, and more without affecting others.
User Management: Multiple accounts make it easier to manage user access and permissions.
Guest Access: Guest Session allows visitors or temporary users to utilize the computer without granting them access to personal files or configurations.
Parental Controls: In a family setting, multiple accounts allow parents to set up separate accounts for their children with appropriate restrictions and parental controls.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance: If an issue arises, having multiple accounts helps in isolating and troubleshooting problems specific to a particular user account.
Overall, creating multiple accounts on the same computer offers enhanced privacy, customization, user management, flexibility, and security. It is a smart move in situations where several persons use the same device or when different access levels and configurations are required.
In this section, most settings require administrator rights. Click Unlock in the top-right and enter the administrator password when asked.
Add New Account
Administrator rights are required to perform this action.
To create a new user account:
Open System Settings and navigate to User Accounts.
In the bottom-left, click ➕ icon.
Select the account type, fill in the credentials and click Create User.
Now you can select the added account and change its preferences if necessary. Upon the next login in the Greeter, you will be offered to choose an account to enter the system, and to perform some settings for a start.
Remove Account
Administrator rights are required to perform this action.
To remove a user account:
In the System Settings, navigate to User Accounts.
Select the required account, and click the minus icon in the bottom-left.
If you want to temporarily block the account, click Disable User Account. You can re-enable it whenever you need.
Mind the following:
By removing an account, you remove all their files and data.
You cannot remove the administrator account if it's the only account in the system.
Set up Guest Session
Guest Session can help in case you need to share your computer just for a while, and there is no need to create another account for a single session. No password is required, the session is running in a sandbox environment. The session is over, the settings and data are deleted.
To enable the Guest Session option:
In the System Settings, navigate to User Accounts.
In the top-right, click Unblock and enter the Administrator password.
Select Guest Session, and enable the corresponding toggle.
If you want to log in automatically, enable the corresponding toggle. When enabled, on the next boot, you will be automatically logged in to the Guest Session skipping the Greeter. You will have to log out to then log in as another user.
Restart for the changes to take effect.
Upon the next boot, in the Greeter, you will see the Guest Session button in the bottom of the screen to log in as a guest.
You cannot remove the Guest Session option, you can only disable it.
Change Password
Changing password is a good practice and it's recommended once in a while for security reason.
To change your password:
In the System Settings, navigate to User Accounts.
Select the account, and click Change Password.
Type the current password, choose a new one, confirm, and apply changes.
Mind the following:
There are certain requirements for the password. Follow the on-screen hints to successfully change it.
Administrator has a permission to change passwords for all users.
Log in Automatically
You have the option to log in to your account without entering the password. The feature does not remove your password, you can always turn it on again, and the password stays the same.
To enable this option:
In the System Settings, navigate to User Accounts.
Select the account, and enable the Log In automatically toggle.
Be careful! With this option enabled, anyone can access your account. Use it when you are absolutely sure.
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