Enable the root user in Ubuntu

Ubuntu loves to use sudo/gksu to dish out superuser powers, but if you want to permanently enable the root account so you can log into it, type the following, which will assign the root user a password and thereby activate it:

$ sudo passwd root

Then type a new password that you'll use in future when logging in as root user.

In future you can switch to root user at the command prompt by typing su -.
You won't be able to login as root from the login window, however, unless you start alter a login preference. Click System > Administration > Login Window, then click the Security tab, and put a check in Allow Local System Administrator Login. Then close the program and log out and back in again as root (provide root as your username).

Note that running a GUI as root is about as dangerous as it gets but, then again, it's your computer!

Tags: root,sudo,administrator

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