Tips: Changing Root Mode in Ubuntu/Kubuntu - The Old Way

Some people find the default root access (sudo) in Ubuntu/Kubuntu distributions little frustrating and would rather prefer to have it the old way, that is by typing su followed by password and then performing the tasks as root.

Here is how it is done:

me@a64untu:~$ sudo passwd root
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfully
me@a64untu:~$ sudo -i

Now, as root, using your favorite editor, edit /etc/sudoers to enable a root account. You need to add rootpw to the line labeled “Defaults.” (using vim as an example, the command will be)

me@a64untu:~# vim /etc/sudoers

add rootpw to the Defaults line:

#Defaults
Defaults !lecture,tty_tickets,!fqdn,rootpw

Now, you can try out your new root account as usual:

me@a64untu:~$ su
Password:
me@a64untu:/home/me#

As you can see now you have symbol # which states that you are being logged-in as root.

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Comment by dougfractal on May 06, 2007

I’ve always gone for this approach

me@a64untu:~$ sudo su
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfully

me@a64untu:~$ su
Password:
root@a64untu:/home/me#

I’ve never needed to edit /etc/sudoers, which should be edited with visudo as it error checks the file on saving. (visudo uses nano by default in *buntu).