Modifying a Group

Command Used

  • groupmod – Modify group name or GID.

Change Group Name

  • Option: -n newname oldname
  • Changes only the group name, not permissions.
  • Files remain accessible because ownership is based on GID, not name.

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Change Group ID (GID)

  • Option: -g GID groupname
  • Breaks file-to-group association.
  • Files become owned by a numeric GID only (no group name).

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Orphaned Files

  • Files owned by a GID with no matching group name.
  • Find them using:
find / -nogroup

Key Point

  • Renaming a group is safe.
  • Changing a GID can cause orphaned files and should be done carefully.