---
original_url: "https://jace.pro/blog/how-to-change-the-motd-on-ubuntu/"
format: markdown
ai_optimized: true
---

How to change the MOTD on Ubuntu- # How to change the MOTD on Ubuntu

November 30, 2024 [ubuntu](/tags/ubuntu/)

  Enable AI AnimationThe Message of the day on linux is helpful, but its long and… a little hard for things to stand out.

I had a few questions about the MOTD.

Where is it stored?
- How is it set up?
- Can I change it?
- If I can, how can I test it?

## [Where is the MOTD stored?](#where-is-the-motd-stored)

The message of the day on Ubuntu is stored in the `/etc/update-motd.d/` folder as a number of scripts.

You can view these scripts by running `ls -la /etc/update-motd.d/`

## [How is the MOTD set up?](#how-is-the-motd-set-up)

The Message of the day is broken up into individual scripts.
Here’s what mine currently shows.

It seems that `cat /run/motd.dynamic` is run when you login and something else generates it. At least according to, [chriserin on their blog](https://til.hashrocket.com/posts/rymit7rzif-view-the-motd-after-login-in-ubuntu).

## [Can you change the MOTD?](#can-you-change-the-motd)

Yes. There’s loads of ways to do this.

I don’t want to remove it for everyone so you can disable it on a user by user basis by doing this;

`touch $HOME/.hushlogin`Then you can add a custom script or echo to `/etc/profile/` and it will print it at the end.

I added `neofetch` to mine.

## [Further Reading](#further-reading)

[server - How is /etc/motd updated? - Ask Ubuntu](https://askubuntu.com/questions/105689/how-is-etc-motd-updated)
[Working with the Ubuntu Message of the Day (MOTD) Service | Vultr Docs](https://docs.vultr.com/working-with-the-ubuntu-message-of-the-day-motd-service)

---
[View this page on GitHub](https://github.com/jacebenson/jace.pro/tree/main/./src/posts/2024/2024-11-30-how-to-change-the-motd-on-ubuntu.md).

[How to change the MOTD on Ubuntu](https://jace.pro/blog/how-to-change-the-motd-on-ubuntu/) [Jace Benson](https://jace.pro) ![Jace Benson](https://jace.pro/icon-512x512.png)

---

*This content is from Jace Benson's ServiceNow and tech blog at jace.pro*
*Original post: https://jace.pro/blog/how-to-change-the-motd-on-ubuntu/*