---
title: '004. Run Emby Server as a Different User'
url: 'https://prozak.org/004-run-emby-server-as-a-different-user'
markdown: 'https://prozak.org/004-run-emby-server-as-a-different-user.md'
date: '2024-09-30'
description: 'A practical guide on running the Emby media server under a dedicated Linux user for improved security and resource control.'
taxonomy:
  category:
    - self-hosting
  tag:
    - linux
    - emby
  archives_month:
    - sep_2024
  archives_year:
    - '2024'
---

# 004. Run Emby Server as a Different User

[ Blog Posts ](https://prozak.org/)      004. Run Emby Server as a Different User    

   30 *Sep*   
#### [004. Run Emby Server as a Different User](https://prozak.org/004-run-emby-server-as-a-different-user)

  [linux](https://prozak.org/tag:linux) [emby](https://prozak.org/tag:emby)  

**Motivation.**

When installing Emby Server following the guides, most standard setup will leave your installation running the Emby-media SystemD service under the user name emby. This can lead to an additional user to be created and maintained in Networked file stores and overall, end up conflicting in terms of permissions. To minimize these issues I always prefer running this service under a standardized service account across different applications, leading to just maintain/provide access to one account instead of several ones.

**Core Objective.**

Modify Emby configuration to run as a specific user "foo" instead of the out of the box "emby"

**Required Tools.**

Emby server installed in Linux server (https://emby.media/linux-server.html)

**Instructions.**

Stop the Emby Service

```bash
systemctl stop emby-service
```

Modify the Systemd service file (/lib/systemd/system/emby-server.service)

```bash
nano /lib/systemd/system/emby-server.service
```

Change:

**User = emby**

To:

**User = foo**

Change ownership permissions on Emby core files (/var/lib/emby)

```bash
chown foo:fooGroup /var/lib/emby -R
```

Restart Service

```bash
systemctl start emby-service
```

**Results.**using htop you can verify that all processes related to Emby Server are now running under your new user "foo"

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