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The file usually used to configure user account settings in Linux is /etc/passwd. This file plays a crucial role in the user management system of Linux by storing essential information about user accounts. Each line in /etc/passwd represents a single user account, with fields that include the username, user ID (UID), group ID (GID), home directory, and the default shell for the user.

This file is foundational for login processes and user-related commands. It helps ensure that the system can properly identify users and their home directories, facilitating user authentication and environment setup upon login.

The other options serve different purposes within the Linux system. /etc/shadow keeps secure information about user passwords, allowing only privileged users to read the content to protect sensitive data. /etc/group defines user groups and their memberships, which is important for managing permissions and access control within the system. /etc/sudoers is used to configure the sudo command, allowing specific users to execute commands with administrative privileges, but it does not directly manage user account settings. Understanding these distinctions helps in effectively managing user accounts in a Linux environment.