Translations by jarin

Launcher Basics

Which approach do you like the most? What approach do you think will help you work most efficiently?

Go to your Home folder by typing 'home' in the <gui>Activities</gui> overview.

The meta key can help you do even more than that, though. To learn about more uses for the <em>meta</em> key, see the <link xref="shell-keyboard-shortcuts">keyboard shortcuts</link> page.

The meta key provides access to the Dash and the Launcher. You can usually find it next to the <key>Alt</key> key on your keyboard.

What is the "meta" key?

Change the size of icons in the launcher

Launcher icons

<link xref="user-add">Add user</link> or <link xref="shell-guest-session">guest user</link>, <link xref="user-changepassword">change password</link>, <link xref="user-admin-change">administrators</link>...

User accounts

Each person that uses the computer should have a different user account. This allows them to keep their files separate from yours and to choose their own settings. It's also more secure. You can only access a different user account if you know the password.

Manage user accounts

Add new users so that other people can log in to the computer.

Add a new user account

You can add multiple user accounts to your computer. Give one account to each person in your household or company. Every user has their own home folder, documents, and settings.

You can change which users are allowed to make changes to the system by giving them administrative privileges.

Change who has administrative privileges

Choose <gui>Administrator</gui> if you want the user to be able to perform administrative tasks, like installing new applications.

Close the User Accounts window. The user's privileges will be changed when they next log in.

You need admin privileges to change important parts of your system.

How do administrative privileges work?

The way that they are protected is by only allowing users with <em>administrative privileges</em> to change the files or use the applications. In day-to-day use, you won't need to change any system files or use these applications, so by default you do not have admin privileges.

What does "super user" mean?

A user with admin privileges is sometimes called a <em>super user</em>. This is simply because that user has more privileges than normal users. You might see people discussing things like <cmd>su</cmd> and <cmd>sudo</cmd>; these are programs for temporarily giving you "super user" (admin) privileges.

Why are admin privileges useful?

Requiring users to have admin privileges before important system changes are made is useful because it helps to prevent your system from being broken, intentionally or unintentionally.

If you had admin privileges all of the time, you might accidentally change an important file, or run an application which changes something important by mistake. Only getting admin privileges temporarily, when you need them, reduces the risk of these mistakes happening.

Only certain, trusted users should be allowed to have admin privileges. This prevents other users from messing with the computer and doing things like uninstalling applications that you need, installing applications that you don't want, or changing important files. This is useful from a security standpoint.

You can only do some things, like installing applications, if you have admin privileges.

Problems caused by administrative restrictions

Installing new applications

You can <link xref="user-admin-change">change who has admin privileges</link>.

Keep your account secure by changing your password often in your account settings.

It is a good idea to change your password from time to time, especially if you think someone else knows what your password is.

Make sure you <link xref="user-goodpassword">choose a good password</link>. This will help to keep your user account safe.

Change the keyring password

In the <gui>Passwords</gui> tab, right-click on <gui>Passwords: login</gui>. Select <gui>Change Password</gui>.

Enter your <gui>Old Password</gui>, followed by your new <gui>Password</gui>, and <gui>Confirm</gui> your new password by entering it again.

Click <gui>OK</gui>.

Change your login screen photo

When you log in or switch users, you will see a list of users with their login photos. You can change your photo to a stock image or an image of your own. You can even take a new login photo with your webcam.

Remove users that no longer use your computer.

Delete a user account

You can add multiple user accounts to your computer. See <link xref="user-add"/> to learn how. If somebody is no longer using your computer, you can delete that user's account.

Advanced techniques for resetting your password

I forgot my password!

If you have an encrypted home directory, you will not be able to reset a forgotten password.

If you simply want to change your password, see <link xref="user-changepassword"/>.

Reset password using Grub

If you are unable to get into the Grub boot menu, and therefore cannot choose to boot into recovery mode, you can <link xref="user-forgottenpassword#live-cd">use a live CD to reset your user password</link>.