Linux Change Password

by nixCraft on December 6, 2010 · 7 comments· last updated at December 15, 2010

How do I change my own password as well as the passwords of other users as required under Linux operating system without using GUI systems?

You can use the passwd command to change your password, and, as a system administrator, change the password of the root account, or another user in your Linux system. The syntax is as follows:

 
passwd
passwd {userName}

Task: Linux Change Your Own Password

Login using the ssh client or open a command-line terminal (select Applications > Accessories > Terminal), than type the following command:
$ passwd
First, the user is prompted for their current password. If the current password is correctly typed, a new password is requested. The new password must be entered twice to avoid typing errors. Running passwd command with no arguments will allow you to change your own password.

Task: Linux Change root's User Password

To change root's password, you must first login as root user or use sudo / su command to obtain root's credentials. To become the root user, enter:
$ su -l
OR
$ sudo -s
Next, to change root's password, enter:
# passwd

Warning root's credentials required to change root's password

WARNING! You can change root's password only if you are logged in as the root user!

Task: Linux Change Another User's Password

To change the password of another user, login as root and type:
# passwd userNameHere # passwd tom # passwd jerry

Getting Help

Anytime you need assistance with Linux passwd command-line, turn to the man page first. It will give you detailed information, parameters and switches for passwd command. For example, man passwd opens the man page for the passwd command:
$ man passwd $ man 5 passwd

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Prabhu December 8, 2010 at 10:52 am: 1. Switch to root
[user1@localhost ~]$ su -
Password:
2. Change password for user2
[root@localhost ~]# passwd user2
Changing password for user user2.
New password:
BAD PASSWORD: it is WAY too short
BAD PASSWORD: is a palindrome
Retype new password:
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.
[root@localhost ~]#
Reply
2 ameen March 9, 2011 at 10:47 am: wat can chang passward of root
he can chang passwad of root
Reply
3 RambabuKella February 10, 2012 at 9:52 pm: [root@localhost ~]# useradd speed
[root@localhost ~]# passwd speed < rambabu
> rambabu
> EOF
Changing password for user speed.
New password: BAD PASSWORD: it is based on a dictionary word
BAD PASSWORD: is too simple
Retype new password: passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.
[root@localhost ~]# useradd abcde
[root@localhost ~]# echo “password” | passwd –stdin abcde
Changing password for user abcde.
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.
Reply
4 err0rw0rse April 18, 2012 at 4:51 am: Hello ! i want to ask how i can change password for root if i forget my root pass and my linux is also need a login password . i forget login password for my user name ******* .how i can login to my workspace .
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5 Mohit Shukla January 2, 2013 at 8:35 am: Login in single user mode and change the password. When you start the system just press the Ctrl+x for login in single user mode. And you will login there as root without password and you can change there your root password.
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6 marimuthu February 21, 2013 at 5:36 pm: booting the machine, at that time press “a” then click the space bar and type “s” then click enter first we check if it is enforcing mode or permissive mode by using this “getenforce” command if it is “enforcing” setenforce 0 then it will be change permissive mode . then “passwd –stdin root” type the password that’s it…………
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7 Lawrence D. Noble, Sr. May 11, 2013 at 7:05 pm: How about changing user I D and password not knowing either? Who am I requesting this info. from? Thanks ldn
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