useradd --help -d, --home-dir HOME_DIR home directory for the new user account -M, do not create user's home directory yet useradd -M -s /sbin/nologin FRED produces in /etc/passwd fred:x:504:504::/home/fred:/sbin/nologin Trying again with useradd -d /dev/null -s /sbin/nologin doris gives a CLI message useradd: warning: the home directory already exists. Not copying any file from skel directory into it. and in /etc/password doris:x:505:505::/dev/null:/sbin/nologin QUESTION What is the 'official' method of creating a user with no home directory and no log-on ability ? Thank you. -- Paul. England, EU. Je suis Charlie.