groupdel(8)               System Management Commands               groupdel(8)

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       groupdel - <?><?><?><?><?><?><?><?><?> <?><?><?><?><?>

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       groupdel [options] GROUP

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       The groupdel command modifies the system account files, deleting all
       entries that refer to GROUP. The named group must exist.

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       The options which apply to the groupdel command are:

       -f, --force
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       -h, --help
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       -R, --root CHROOT_DIR
           Apply changes in the CHROOT_DIR directory and use the configuration
           files from the CHROOT_DIR directory. Only absolute paths are
           supported. No SELINUX support.

       -P, --prefix PREFIX_DIR
           Apply changes in the PREFIX_DIR directory and use the configuration
           files from the PREFIX_DIR directory. This option does not chroot
           and is intended for preparing a cross-compilation target. Some
           limitations: NIS and LDAP users/groups are not verified. PAM
           authentication is using the host files. No SELINUX support.

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       The following configuration variables in /etc/login.defs change the
       behavior of this tool:

       MAX_MEMBERS_PER_GROUP (number)
           Maximum members per group entry. When the maximum is reached, a new
           group entry (line) is started in /etc/group (with the same name,
           same password, and same GID).

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       /etc/group
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       The groupdel command exits with the following values:

       0
           success

       2
           invalid command syntax

       6
           specified group doesn't exist

       8
           can't remove user's primary group

       10
           can't update group file

<?><?><?>. <?><?><?><?><?>
       chfn(1), chsh(1), passwd(1), gpasswd(8), groupadd(8), groupmod(8),
       useradd(8), userdel(8), usermod(8).

shadow-utils 4.20.0               30/07/2026                       groupdel(8)