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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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[Solved] How can I run a command without being logged in as a user? (szmer.info)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

XY: I installed bazzite and goofed up. The username is wrong and my home is /home/bazzite instead of /home/ludrol

I am trying to run usermod -l ludrol bazzite in tty3 with sudo su - but the bazzite user is logged.

Solution:
Added password to root with passwd
Logged in as root
Ran required usermod commands
Disabled root with passwd -l

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

IDK if this will work but maybe doing exec sudo -i does the trick.

Otherwise just enable the root account and log in as root. Should be passwd -u root to unlock (passwd -l root to relock), also need to set the root password using passwd root.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

Thanks, I have done exactly that. (root password)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Another way to do this is sudo su -c 'this is my command'

E.g. change a fan setting on a ThinkPad with:

sudo su -c 'echo "level full-speed" > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan'

So to run a shell you could do all sorts of tricks like:

sudo su -c '/bin/bash -i' and such.

Never know when it comes in handy.

EDIT: Damn, downvoted, any reason why? It works on my machine with a locked root user or one without a PW and I made sure to test it before posting, but I'd love an explanation of why it wouldn't work if that's the reason for the downvote. Was just hoping it would be useful to somebody :/