Root account without root privilege

Hey all, I am experiencing a root user acts as a normal user. After I installed Debian 13, root account can not access administrator files unless using the “sudo” command. Even to add a user I have to use sudo command first. What shall I do?

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Hi @tad

Can you share screenshots or photos of what you describe above. Would be happy to help.

Hey hydn, All admin tasks require sudo command

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This is a classic quirk in modern Debian systems. You are likely using the su command to switch to the root user.

Use Type su - (with the hyphen) instead of just su.

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+1 @Blue_bird

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Well @Blue_bird, I appreciate. I want to know that, At what cases we use su, su - and su – ? I thought they are interchangeable if I’m right.
Do ‘permission denied’ and ‘not found’ related to permission and ownership?

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When you use su (Substitute User), you are essentially putting on a “root mask” while staying in your current room. When you use su -, you are moving to the root user’s house/environment entirely.

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