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Topic hub Security & Permissions
Windows Linux Security & Permissions Command guide Identity

Windows whoami /priv equivalent in Linux

Lists allowed sudo commands for the current user.

Windows whoami /priv
→
Linux equivalents
Debian/Ubuntu same command
sudo -l
Fedora same command
sudo -l
Arch same command
sudo -l

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "whoami /priv" is used to show elevated privileges. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "sudo -l". Lists allowed sudo commands for the current user. This reference is grouped under Security & Permissions → Identity.

Migration tip: For the Windows task "whoami /priv", the Linux workflow on this page uses "sudo -l" across Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch. Check paths, permissions and installed package versions before copying it into a script.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Equivalent task, different tool

Windows whoami /priv maps to sudo -l 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.

Elevated privilege appears in this workflow

At least one example uses sudo. Confirm the target path, device, service or package before running the elevated form; do not add sudo simply to bypass an unexplained permission error.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Show elevated privileges

Lists allowed sudo commands for the current user.

sudo -l

Show elevated privileges

sudo --help

Show command help when supported

man sudo

Open the manual page when installed

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

sudo -l

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows equivalent: whoami /priv
sudo -l

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or optionUse
sudo -lShow elevated privileges
sudo --helpShow command help when supported
man sudoOpen the manual page when installed

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "sudo -l" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.

DistributionPackage manager / baseEquivalent commandDifference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu same command sudo -l Same command on this distribution.
Fedora same command sudo -l Same command on this distribution.
Arch same command sudo -l Same command on this distribution.

Keep learning

Related Security & Permissions commands