How To Switch to Root User Without Losing Current Directory in Ubuntu

In this article, we will explore how to switch to the root user in Ubuntu without losing the current directory. This is a common task for system administrators and developers who need to perform operations with root privileges while maintaining their current working directory.

Understanding the Root User

The root user, also known as the superuser, has the highest level of access to an Ubuntu system. This user can perform any operation, including those that can potentially harm the system if not done correctly. Therefore, it’s crucial to be careful when operating as the root user.

Switching to the Root User

Typically, to switch to the root user, you would use the sudo su command. However, this command takes you directly to the root’s home directory, causing you to lose your current directory.

$ pwd
/home/user
$ sudo su
# pwd
/root

In the example above, pwd is a command that prints the current working directory. As you can see, after executing sudo su, the working directory changes to /root.

Maintaining the Current Directory

To switch to the root user without losing the current directory, you can use the sudo -s command. This command starts a root shell and keeps you in the same directory where you executed the command.

Here’s an example:

$ pwd
/home/user
$ sudo -s
# pwd
/home/user

In this case, even after switching to the root user, the working directory remains the same (/home/user).

The -s option in sudo -s stands for shell and it runs the shell specified by the SHELL environment variable if it’s set or the shell as specified in the password database.

Using a Login Shell

If you want to start a login shell as root, you can use the sudo -i command. This command provides a full root environment, but it takes you to the root’s home directory by default.

$ pwd
/home/user
$ sudo -i
# pwd
/root

The -i option in sudo -i stands for login. It runs the shell specified in the root’s password database entry as a login shell. This means that login-specific resource files such as .profile or .login will be read by the shell.

Conclusion

To switch to the root user in Ubuntu without losing the current directory, use the sudo -s command. If you need a login shell, you can use sudo -i, but it will take you to the root’s home directory. Remember to be cautious when operating as the root user due to the elevated privileges.

For more information on using sudo and its options, you can check the man page by typing man sudo in your terminal or visiting the online version.