How to Create Multiple Users and Set Password for each User in Linux

Managing user accounts is a core task for any Linux system administrator. Whether you’re setting up a shared server, managing student logins in a lab, or configuring access for a development team, knowing how to create multiple users efficiently — and set unique passwords for each — is essential.

Here’s how to get it done, step-by-step.

🔧 Option 1: Create Users One by One

This is good for when you only need to add a few users.

sudo adduser username1
sudo passwd username1

Repeat for each user:

sudo adduser username2
sudo passwd username2

You’ll be prompted to enter and confirm a password for each user. Done.

🚀 Option 2: Create Multiple Users from a Text File

If you’re adding a bunch of users, automate it. Create a text file with usernames and passwords.

Step 1: Create a user list

nano users.txt

Add entries like this:

alice:Password123
bob:Secure456
charlie:Pass789

Each line is username:password.

Step 2: Run a script to create them

#!/bin/bash

while IFS=: read -r user pass; do
    sudo useradd -m "$user"
    echo "$user:$pass" | sudo chpasswd
done < users.txt

Save the script as create_users.sh, then run:

chmod +x create_users.sh
./create_users.sh

This will:

• Create each user with a home directory (-m)
• Set their password using chpasswd

🛡️ Tips for Security

• Enforce strong passwords — use a password generator or pwgen.
• Lock accounts you don’t need active with sudo usermod -L username.
• Use passwd -e username to force users to change passwords at first login.

✅ Final Check

To verify the users were created:

cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd

To check login settings:

sudo chage -l username

Conclusion

Creating and managing users on Linux doesn’t need to be tedious. For small batches, manual entry works. For larger deployments, automate the process with a script and a text file.

It’s fast, clean, and scalable.

Have questions or need a custom script for your setup? Drop a comment below or contact me directly.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!