The pw utility is a command-line utility for the FreeBSD system user and group files, allowing the superuser an easy to use and standardized way of adding, modifying and removing users and groups. Same utility provides ability to locking or unlocking FreeBSD user accounts.

FreeBSD locking an account command

Syntax:
pw lock {username}

Example

Lock user account named vivek. Login as a root user and type following command:

# pw lock vivek

FreeBSD unlocking an account command

Syntax:
pw unlock {username}

Example

Unlock user account named vivek. Login as the root user and type the following command:

# pw unlock vivek

See also:

• FreeBSD: Finding passwordless (no password) account and lock all accounts