# How to Edit Files as Root in Ubuntu with GUI File Manager

**URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-edit-files-as-root-in-ubuntu-with-gui-file-manager/
**Author:** Ayushi Chauhan
**Published:** 2022-11-10
**Updated:** 2022-11-10
**Categories:** Blogs
**Tags:** Blogs Daily, Computer Guides, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, Linux Guides, Originals How to, Software tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks
**Reading Time:** 4 min

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Today, In this article we will show you how to **Edit Files as Root in Ubuntu with GUI File Manager**. The Debian GNU/Linux distribution is the foundation of the open-source operating system (OS) known as Ubuntu. Ubuntu is well-liked in universities and research companies because it integrates all the functionality of a Unix OS with an additional customizable GUI. Although there is a server edition of Ubuntu, personal PCs are where it is most often utilized. Ubuntu is an African word that implies “humanity to others” in its literal sense.

Through the use of menus, icons, and other visual cues or representations, a user interacts with electronic devices like computers and smartphones using a graphical user interface (GUI) (graphics). Unlike text-based interfaces, where data and commands are purely in text, GUIs graphically show information and related user controls. A pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, or a finger on a touch screen, is used to manipulate GUI representations.

The first keyboard input and prompt system was used for the human-computer text interaction (or DOS prompt). At the DOS prompt, commands were entered to request responses from a computer. These instructions’ usage plus the requirement for precise spelling led to an unwieldy and ineffective user interface. We mentioned below are the steps Edit Files as Root in Ubuntu with GUI File Manager.

## Steps to Edit Files as Root in Ubuntu with GUI File Manager

**Step 1:** Open **Command terminal**

Updating the system using the command line is an easy way. To **open Terminal**, users can either use the keyboard shortcut which is**Ctrl+Alt+T** or search for it using the app launcher.

> Update Ubuntu Linux

It is recommended to run the system **update command** before installing any software. Yes, we need to install an extension for our **Nautilus file manager** to get functionality that allows us to edit files as root. Therefore, let’s start by updating the system.

> sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

**Step 2:** Install the **Nautilus Admin extension**

As with other file managers, right-clicking on a file or folder opens a context menu. The same goes for Nautilus with operations like **copy, move, move to trash, compress,** etc. offered but not that of editing files as a Super Admin user. Therefore, to incorporate this, run the given command:

> sudo apt install nautilus-admin

**Step 3:** **Restart** your Linux system

Once you have**installed the Admin feature** for your Nautilus file manager, reboot your system to integrate it properly.

> sudo reboot

**Step 4:** **Edit files** as root through the Nautilus GUI file manager

Open your file manager and navigate to a file that can only be **edited with root** user rights. After this right click on this file and in the context menu this time you will see an additional option “**Edit as administratorr**”.

When you click on the option, the system will ask for your**sudo user password,** provide it.

Here we are editing the system **Sources.list** file which is only accessible by the user with root rights.

**Step 5:** Remove **Edit Files as Root Feature** on Ubuntu

Well, if you don’t want this admin feature **enabled on your Ubuntu**, we can remove the Admin extension from our Nautilus file manager **using** the command.

> sudo apt remove –purge nautilus-admin

## Final Words

We hope you like our article on how to edit files as Root in Ubuntu with GUI File Manager. Nautilus is the GNOME desktop environment’s default file manager, and it is included in Ubuntu. The capabilities of Nautilus File manager include managing and generating files, previewing specific file types, and connecting to remote shares. Additionally, it offers an interface for extensions, allowing the functionality to be expanded.

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