Quick Answer
The answer is `find /home -user olduser -exec chown guest {} +`. This command is correct because it first uses `find` to locate every file under `/home` owned by the deleted user, then executes `chown guest` on each file in a single efficient batch, reassigning ownership to the guest account without moving or copying any data. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your ability to combine file searching with ownership changes—a common real-world sysadmin task for enforcing data retention policies after user removal. A frequent trap is using `chown -R` directly on the home directory, which fails if the user’s account no longer exists or if files are scattered across subdirectories. The `+` in `-exec` is key: it groups file paths to minimize command invocations, making it faster than `\;`. Memory tip: think “find, then change” — locate the orphaned files first, then hand them off to a new owner.
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company policy requires that when a user is deleted, all files owned by that user in /home should be reassigned to a 'guest' account. Which command accomplishes this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
usermod -l guest olduser
Why wrong: This renames the user, not reassigns files.
find /home -user olduser -exec chown guest {} +
This finds all files owned by olduser under /home and changes ownership to guest.
userdel -r olduser
Why wrong: This removes the user and their home directory, not reassigning files.
rsync -a /home/olduser/ /home/guest/
Why wrong: This copies files, does not reassign ownership.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
find /home -user olduser -exec chown guest {} +
Option B uses `find` to locate all files owned by `olduser` under `/home` and then executes `chown guest` on them, which reassigns ownership to the `guest` account. This directly satisfies the policy requirement without affecting the user account itself or copying files.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
usermod -l guest olduser
Why it's wrong here
This renames the user, not reassigns files.
find /home -user olduser -exec chown guest {} +
Why this is correct
This finds all files owned by olduser under /home and changes ownership to guest.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
userdel -r olduser
Why it's wrong here
This removes the user and their home directory, not reassigning files.
rsync -a /home/olduser/ /home/guest/
Why it's wrong here
This copies files, does not reassign ownership.
Common exam traps
Red Hat often tests the distinction between modifying user attributes (usermod), deleting users (userdel), copying files (rsync), and directly reassigning file ownership (find + chown), expecting candidates to recognize that only the latter changes ownership without altering or removing the files.
Detailed technical explanation
The `find` command with `-exec ... {} +` collects all matching files and passes them as arguments to `chown` in a single invocation, which is more efficient than running `chown` per file. Ownership is stored as UID (user ID) in the inode; `chown` updates this metadata without moving or copying file data. In a real-world scenario, this approach is critical for preserving file contents and directory structure while transferring ownership after a user departure.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Manage users and groups — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: find /home -user olduser -exec chown guest {} + — Option B uses `find` to locate all files owned by `olduser` under `/home` and then executes `chown guest` on them, which reassigns ownership to the `guest` account. This directly satisfies the policy requirement without affecting the user account itself or copying files.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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