Root

1. Also known as an admin, administrator, and gatekeeper this account is a super user on a computer and/or network and has complete control over it. When referring to a Unix / Linux computer this user is often known as root and on a Windows computer and network this user is often referred to as an administrator. However, each of these terms is interchangeable.

• Information about determining if an account has administrator rights on document CH001093.
• See document CH001096 for additional information about why you may not be able to log into the administrator account.
• Additional information about giving a Windows account administrative rights on document CH001097.
• See our su or super user command page for additional information on this Linux command.

2. The highest level in a directory hierarchy. For example, in MS-DOS, the root of the primary hard disk drive would C:\.

• Additional information and help with MS-DOS can be found on our MS-DOS help page. 
• Users in the Microsoft recovery console can set the current directory to the system root directory by using the systemroot command.

Also see: Administrative, BOFH, Full rights, Hierarchical file system, Home, Moderator, Op, Power user, Remote admin, Security definitions, Sysop