Windows logoff equivalent in Linux
Ends the current user session, closing all running processes owned by that user.
logoff
logout / pkill -KILL -u username
logout / pkill -KILL -u username
logout / pkill -KILL -u username
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "logoff" is used to log off the current user session. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "logout / pkill -KILL -u username". Ends the current user session, closing all running processes owned by that user. This reference is grouped under System & Storage → System.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows logoff maps to logout / pkill -KILL -u username 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 disks, storage and mounts.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Log off the current user session
Ends the current user session, closing all running processes owned by that user.
logout
Log out of login shell
exit
Exit current shell
pkill -KILL -u username
Force log out another user
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
logout
exit
sudo pkill -KILL -u john
sudo loginctl terminate-user john
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: logoff
logout # in a login shell
exit # in any shell
# Force log out user 'john':
sudo pkill -KILL -u john
sudo loginctl terminate-user johnReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
logout | Log out of login shell |
exit | Exit current shell |
pkill -KILL -u username | Force log out another user |
loginctl terminate-user john | Terminate all sessions for a user |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "logout / pkill -KILL -u username" 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 | logout / pkill -KILL -u username |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | logout / pkill -KILL -u username |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | logout / pkill -KILL -u username |
Same command on this distribution. |
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