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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

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Mounting External Drives on Linux without root from the terminal (lemmy.ml)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi friends,

I have some external hard drives and SSDs, which I use with my Debian 11 machine. I normally use them through the GUI file manager(pcmanfm-qt). I tried to access them from the terminal using commands I found after searching the web, like, fdisk, mount etc. However, the issue is that I have to use sudo when using these commands and as a result after mounting I cannot make changes to my files in the drive(s) without using sudo. The only way to avoid using sudo, is to first go to the required folder in the GUI file manager and then opening the folder in terminal. Is there a way to forego using the GUI file manager completely and only using the terminal entirely to properly access my drives and make changes without using sudo?

EDIT: Someone suggested usbmount. I am sure that works, but it is not packaged for Debian. Instead, as suggested, by another person, I use pmount. It works perfectly for my needs on Debian. Thanks to all for taking the time to respond and help me with my problem.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

However, the issue is that I have to use sudo when using these commands and as a result after mounting I cannot make changes to my files in the drive(s) without using sudo.

This isn't because you're using sudo to mount, that is the way to do it. This is because you're mounting to a directory for which your regular user does not have write access. Create a directory owned by your user and make sure you have write access with sudo first. Or make it owned by a group that your user is a member (I use media) and give that group write access. Then mount the drive to that directory in the usual way (I prefer to clutter up my fstab with entries I rarely use). You should now have access without sudo.

9 out of 10 times new users are struggling with access, it's not a problem with the software, but a problem with permissions.