chown Linux Command Guide

The chown command in Linux is used to change the ownership of files and directories. It allows users to transfer ownership of a file or directory to a specific user or group. This command is essential for system administrators to manage file permissions and access control. By understanding the syntax and options of the chown command, users can effectively control who can access and modify files on a Linux system.

chown Syntax:

chown [options] [user][:group] file

Options:

Option	Description
-c	Report only when a change is made
-f	Suppress most error messages
-h	Change the group of a symlink
-R	Recursively change files and directories
-v	Output a diagnostic for every file processed

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
user	The user ownership to be set
group	The group ownership to be set
file	The file or directory to change ownership of

Caution

Exercise caution when using the chown command as changing file ownership can result in unintended consequences and make files unusable if performed incorrectly.

chown Command Samples:

Change Ownership of a File

chown user1 file.txt

Changes the ownership of the file.txt to user1.

Change Ownership of a Directory Recursively

chown -R user2:group2 directory/

Changes the ownership and group ownership of the directory and all its contents recursively to user2 and group2.

Change Ownership of Multiple Files

chown user3:group3 file1.txt file2.txt

Changes the ownership and group ownership of file1.txt and file2.txt to user3 and group3.

Change Only the Group Ownership of a File

chown :group4 file3.txt

Changes only the group ownership of file3.txt to group4.

Change User and Group Ownership of a Symbolic Link

chown user5:group5 symbolic_link

Changes the user and group ownership of the symbolic_link.

Preserve the Original Owner on Copy

cp -p origin.txt destination.txt
chown --reference=origin.txt destination.txt

Preserves the ownership of origin.txt and applies it to destination.txt.

Change Ownership for All Files in a Directory

chown -c newuser:newgroup *

Changes the ownership of all files in the current directory to newuser and newgroup, displaying a message for each file changed.

Tip

When using the chown command, make sure to double-check the ownership changes you are making, as incorrect usage of this command can lead to serious security issues.

chown FAQ:

How do I change the owner of a file in Linux?

To change the owner of a file in Linux, use the following command:

chown newowner myfile.txt

How do I change the group of a file in Linux?

To change the group of a file in Linux, use the following command:

chown :newgroup myfile.txt

How do I change both the owner and group of a file in Linux?

To change both the owner and group of a file in Linux, use the following command:

chown newowner:newgroup myfile.txt

How do I change the owner of a directory and its contents in Linux recursively?

To change the owner of a directory and its contents in Linux recursively, use the following command:

chown -R newowner mydirectory

How do I change the owner of a file using the numeric UID in Linux?

To change the owner of a file using the numeric UID in Linux, use the following command:

chown 1000 myfile.txt

How do I change the group of a file using the numeric GID in Linux?

To change the group of a file using the numeric GID in Linux, use the following command:

chown :1000 myfile.txt

Applications of the chown command

• Change the owner of a file
• Change the group owner of a file
• Recursively change ownership of files and directories
• Change ownership of a symbolic link
• Change ownership of multiple files at once