Windows icacls /grant equivalent in Linux
Grants explicit permissions to a user.
icacls /grant
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "icacls /grant" is used to grant ACL permissions. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file". Grants explicit permissions to a user. This reference is grouped under File Management → Permissions.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows icacls /grant maps to setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux filesystem for Windows users.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Grant ACL permissions
Grants explicit permissions to a user.
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file
Grant ACL permissions
setfacl --help
Show command help when supported
man setfacl
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: icacls /grant
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx fileReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file | Grant ACL permissions |
setfacl --help | Show command help when supported |
man setfacl | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | setfacl -m u:USER:rwx file |
Same command on this distribution. |
Keep learning