diff --git a/roles/base/tasks/main.yml b/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
index 8a661d1..79333ee 100644
--- a/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/base/tasks/main.yml
@@ -596,6 +596,14 @@
     state: absent
   tags: base-shell
 
+# htop
+- name: install htop configuration
+  template:
+    src: "etc/htoprc.j2"
+    dest: "/etc/htoprc"
+    mode: 0644
+  tags: base-shell
+
 # fail2ban
 - name: install fail2ban configurations
   template:
@@ -741,11 +749,13 @@
     - users
     - user-root
 
-- name: write htoprc to homedir
-  template:
-    src: var/home/user/config/htop/htoprc.j2
-    dest: /root/.htoprc
-    mode: 0600
+- name: remove root htoprc
+  file:
+    dest: "{{ item }}"
+    state: absent
+  loop:
+    - /root/.htoprc
+    - /root/.config/htop
   tags:
     - users
     - user-root
@@ -960,25 +970,10 @@
     - users
     - user-admin
 
-- name: ensure htop config directory exists
+- name: remove user htop configuration directory
   file:
     dest: "/var/home/{{ item.name }}/.config/htop"
-    state: directory
-    owner: "{{ item.name }}"
-    group: operator
-    mode: 0755
-  with_items: "{{ admin_users }}"
-  tags:
-    - users
-    - user-admin
-
-- name: write htoprc to homedir
-  template:
-    src: var/home/user/config/htop/htoprc.j2
-    dest: "/var/home/{{ item.name }}/.config/htop/htoprc"
-    owner: "{{ item.name }}"
-    group: operator
-    mode: 0644
+    state: absent
   with_items: "{{ admin_users }}"
   tags:
     - users
diff --git a/roles/base/templates/etc/htoprc.j2 b/roles/base/templates/etc/htoprc.j2
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5343b2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/base/templates/etc/htoprc.j2
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# htop configuration file (Debian)
+# {{ ansible_managed }}
+fields=0 48 17 18 38 39 40 2 46 47 49 1
+sort_key=46
+{% if debian_version|int >= 11 %}
+sort_direction=0
+{% else %}
+sort_direction=1
+{% endif %}
+tree_sort_key=0
+tree_sort_direction=1
+hide_kernel_threads=0
+hide_userland_threads=0
+shadow_other_users=0
+show_thread_names=1
+show_program_path=1
+highlight_base_name=1
+highlight_megabytes=1
+highlight_threads=1
+highlight_changes=0
+highlight_changes_delay_secs=5
+find_comm_in_cmdline=1
+strip_exe_from_cmdline=1
+show_merged_command=0
+tree_view=0
+tree_view_always_by_pid=0
+header_margin=1
+detailed_cpu_time=1
+cpu_count_from_one=1
+show_cpu_usage=1
+show_cpu_frequency=1
+show_cpu_temperature=1
+degree_fahrenheit=0
+update_process_names=1
+account_guest_in_cpu_meter=1
+color_scheme=0
+enable_mouse=1
+delay=10
+left_meters=Hostname Clock Uptime Blank LeftCPUs2 Blank CPU Blank
+left_meter_modes=2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2
+{% if debian_version|int >= 11 %}
+right_meters=LoadAverage Tasks Systemd Blank RightCPUs2 Blank Memory Swap
+right_meter_modes=2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1
+{% else %}
+right_meters=LoadAverage Tasks Blank Blank RightCPUs2 Blank Memory Swap
+right_meter_modes=2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1
+{% endif %}
+hide_function_bar=0
diff --git a/roles/base/templates/var/home/user/config/htop/htoprc.j2 b/roles/base/templates/var/home/user/config/htop/htoprc.j2
deleted file mode 100644
index f0311f0..0000000
--- a/roles/base/templates/var/home/user/config/htop/htoprc.j2
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-# htop config file
-# {{ ansible_managed }}
-fields=0 48 17 18 38 39 40 2 46 47 49 1 
-sort_key=46
-sort_direction=1
-hide_threads=0
-hide_kernel_threads=0
-hide_userland_threads=0
-shadow_other_users=0
-show_thread_names=1
-highlight_base_name=1
-highlight_megabytes=1
-highlight_threads=1
-tree_view=0
-header_margin=1
-detailed_cpu_time=1
-cpu_count_from_zero=0
-update_process_names=1
-account_guest_in_cpu_meter=1
-color_scheme=0
-delay=15
-left_meters=LeftCPUs2 Blank CPU Blank Blank Memory Swap 
-left_meter_modes=1 2 1 2 2 1 1 
-right_meters=RightCPUs2 Blank LoadAverage Tasks Blank Hostname Clock Uptime Blank 
-right_meter_modes=1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2