How to Run Htop with Root Privileges on Ubuntu

This guide explains how to execute the htop system monitor with root privileges on Ubuntu. By running htop as superuser, you can view every process running on your system, including those owned by other users or the kernel. We will cover the specific command needed and why elevated permissions are necessary for complete visibility.

The Command

To launch htop with full system access, open your terminal and type the following command:

sudo htop

Press Enter to execute the command. You will be prompted to enter your user password. Type your password securely; note that no characters will appear on the screen while typing. Once authenticated, htop will launch with root privileges.

Why Use Root Privileges

Running htop without sudo typically displays only processes owned by your current user. Some system processes are hidden from standard users for security and stability reasons. Using sudo grants the monitor permission to read data from all processes, ensuring you see the complete list of active tasks and their resource usage.

Navigating and Exiting

Once running, you can sort processes by CPU, memory, or PID using the function keys listed at the bottom of the screen. To exit htop, simply press the F10 key or type q. Be cautious when using root privileges; avoid killing system processes unless you are certain of their function, as this can destabilize your operating system.