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To disable the normal logout action on Ubuntu Desktop, set GNOME’s disable-log-out dconf key to true. For a system-wide policy that users cannot undo, add the setting to the system dconf database, lock the key, and run sudo dconf update. If users must not escape the restriction by switching accounts, lock down user switching as well.
What does disabling logout on Ubuntu Desktop do?
Ubuntu Desktop uses GNOME’s boolean dconf key /org/gnome/desktop/lockdown/disable-log-out to control the normal logout action. Its default is false; setting it to true disables that action for users covered by the policy. Canonical’s ADSys policy reference lists the key as supported on Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, 25.10, and 26.04 in its current stable documentation.
This is a session-interface restriction, not a replacement for account security, physical access controls, or a complete kiosk security design. It is intended for managed setups such as unmanned kiosks and public internet terminals where the active GNOME session should remain available.
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Use the system dconf database to apply the setting across users, then add a lock so covered users cannot change the key back in their own settings. You need administrator privileges to create the files under /etc/dconf and update the database.
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Create or edit
/etc/dconf/profile/userso it contains these lines:user-db:user system-db:localThis profile tells dconf to use the user database and the system database named
local. -
Create
/etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-logoutwith the policy settings:Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.[org/gnome/desktop/lockdown] # Prevent the user from logging out disable-log-out=true # Recommended for managed or kiosk deployments disable-user-switching=trueThe first setting disables the normal logout action. The second is recommended when the goal is to keep a managed session in place rather than simply remove one way to leave it.
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Create
/etc/dconf/db/local.d/locks/lockdownwith the keys that users must not change:Rank #2
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# Lock user logout /org/gnome/desktop/lockdown/disable-log-out # Lock user switching /org/gnome/desktop/lockdown/disable-user-switchingLocking is what makes these system settings resistant to changes made from a user’s own settings.
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Build the updated system dconf database:
sudo dconf updateRun this after creating or changing the profile, keyfile, or lock file.
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Restart the computer or begin a fresh session so the system-wide settings take effect. Then verify the expected behavior using an account covered by the policy.
Should I disable user switching too?
Yes, if the requirement is that users must not leave the managed session and enter another account. GNOME warns that users can evade the logout lockdown by switching to a different user. Set disable-user-switching=true and lock its key alongside the logout key to close that documented route.
If the aim is only to remove the usual logout action from an otherwise ordinary desktop, you may choose to leave switching available—but understand that it weakens the restriction. Before disabling both options, arrange a separate administrator recovery route; otherwise, routine maintenance or recovery at the machine may be harder.
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What is the difference between a dconf setting and a locked policy?
A setting in a user’s own dconf database is user-changeable. A system dconf value combined with a lock file is the appropriate GNOME-documented approach for system-wide enforcement.
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| Approach | Scope | Can the covered user change it? | User switching route |
|---|---|---|---|
| User-level preference | One user’s settings | Yes; it is not locked by a system lock file | Not addressed by the logout key alone |
| System dconf value without a lock | System database, as configured in the profile | The setting is not locked against user changes | Remains available unless separately disabled |
| System dconf value with lock files | Users covered by the system dconf database | No, for the keys that are locked | Remains available unless its key is also set and locked |
For a controlled terminal, configure and lock both keys. The system database applies according to the dconf profile; it should not be described as a universal restriction on every kind of account or session on the machine.
Does this stop automatic logout after inactivity?
No. Disabling GNOME’s normal logout action is separate from configuring what happens to an idle session. GNOME documents idle-session behavior through org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.power/sleep-inactive-*-type. Treat that as a separate policy decision: automatically ending an idle session can cause unsaved data to be lost.
Do not assume that changing the logout lockdown key changes power or inactivity behavior. If an unattended device needs a particular idle response, assess that setting separately and consider what happens to open work before applying it.
How should I deploy this on a kiosk or managed terminal?
Apply the policy to a test account and check both the expected user experience and the administrator’s ability to recover the session. A hidden or disabled logout action can keep a public session available, but the setting alone does not secure the device against other forms of access.
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- Confirm the requirement: Decide whether you only need the normal logout action unavailable, or whether switching accounts must also be blocked.
- Choose policy scope: Use the system dconf database for a managed, system-wide policy rather than relying on an individual user’s preference.
- Lock only deliberate restrictions: Add the relevant keys to the locks file so users cannot reverse those settings themselves.
- Plan administrator recovery: Establish how an authorized administrator can access and maintain the computer before restricting both logout and switching.
- Test the actual deployment: Start a fresh session after updating dconf, then test the normal user flow on the account and desktop environment that will be used.
GNOME identifies kiosks and public internet access terminals as intended use cases, but its guidance does not quantify a security benefit. Treat this as one part of a managed deployment, not as proof that the device is protected from every bypass or physical-access risk.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I check if the logout option still appears?
Check the configuration chain in order: dconf profile, system keyfile, lock file, database update, and session refresh. A missing or misnamed path at any point can prevent the intended policy from taking effect.
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Confirm
/etc/dconf/profile/userincludessystem-db:localexactly, matching the database name used in the next file path. -
Confirm the keyfile is at
/etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-logoutand the section header is[org/gnome/desktop/lockdown].Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Check that
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If users must not change the policy, confirm the matching absolute key path appears in
/etc/dconf/db/local.d/locks/lockdown. -
Run
sudo dconf updateagain after any edits, then test in a fresh session or after restarting the system. -
If switching accounts is still possible, verify that
disable-user-switching=trueis present and its key is also locked.The Tool Desk
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Test with the account and session covered by the system profile; checking only the administrator account may not represent the configured user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable logout for just one Ubuntu user?
The steps here configure the system dconf database, so they are intended for users covered by that system profile. A per-user preference is a different, user-changeable approach; the documented system-wide lockdown uses a system database and lock files.
Does disabling logout also prevent shutting down Ubuntu?
The documented key controls GNOME’s logout action, not a general shutdown policy. The cited guidance does not establish that this setting disables shutdown controls, so do not rely on it for that purpose.
Will this setting end an existing session immediately?
The documented procedure says to restart or begin a fresh session for system-wide settings to take effect. It does not specify that applying the policy forcibly terminates a session that is already running.
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Does the logout lockdown affect SSH sessions?
The key is a GNOME desktop lockdown setting for the normal graphical logout action. The cited documentation does not establish any effect on command-line or remote SSH sessions.
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