Safe to Change User Name via "Users and Groups" in GUI?

[Fran_3]

The Question:

Is it safe and adequate to use "Users and Groups" in the Linux Mint v20 GUI to change the user name and password?
Or, should additional steps be taken?

This link...
https://www.linuxuprising.com/2019/04/h ... ebian.html
points out...

Some applications will show errors when changing the username, because in some cases there are configuration files that point to the old username's home folder

and recommend...

A solution for this is to create a symbolic link from the new home folder to the old home folder:

They also note other potential issues and fixes.

So, do I have to worry about creating a symbolic link and other issues mentioned or will "Users and Groups" in the GUI take care of it all for me?

Thanks for any help.

[djph]

I find it easiest to just change the account name in /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow in a live session (AND BACK THEM UP FIRST!!!)

e.g. if I wanted to be "qwcu"

Code: Select all

djph:x:1000:1000:Real Name,,,:/home/djph:/bin/bash
djph:[password_hash]:18070:0:99999:7:::

Code: Select all

qwcu:x:1000:1000:Real Name,,,:/home/qwcu:/bin/bash
qwcu:[password_hash]:18070:0:99999:7:::

Don't forget to move / rename $HOME

Code: Select all

sudo mv /home/djph /home/qwcu