---
title: "How to Remove (Delete) a User on CentOS 6"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/linux/how-to-remove-delete-a-user-on-centos-6/"
description: "Working from CentOS 6 server as root, these instructions are intended specifically for removing a user on the operating system."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2015-03-17"
last_modified: "2026-07-29"
---

# How to Remove (Delete) a User on CentOS 6

Pre-Flight Check

- These instructions are intended specifically for removing a user on CentOS 6.
- I’ll be working from a Liquid Web Core Managed CentOS 6 server, and I’ll be logged in as root.

Step 1: Delete the User

It’s just one simple command to add a user. In this case, we’re adding a user called mynewuser:

`userdel mynewuser`

If you want to remove all of the files for the user, then use **-r**:

`userdel -r mynewuser`

Step 2: Remove Root Privileges to the User

`visudo`

Find the following code:

\## Allow root to run any commands anywhere  
root ALL=(ALL) ALL  
mynewuser ALL=(ALL) ALL

In this case, we’re removing root privileges from the user mynewuser . Remove the following:

`mynewuser    ALL=(ALL)       ALL`

Then exit and save the file with the command :wq .