Linux: Resetting a user’s password

by on November 26, 2007 · 9 comments· last updated at November 26, 2007

Q. How do I reset a user's password under any Linux distribution from command prompt?

A. To reset a user's password, use passwd command. You have to change it to a different password.

Login as the root user

Open terminal or shell prompt

Type the following command:
# passwd username
For example, reset a tom's password, enter:
# passwd tom
Type a new password twice.



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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

1 jj August 29, 2008 at 5:47 am

forgot how to reset user’s password, and found here from google serach. It’s working. thanks!

jj

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2 Mohamed yousuf December 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Sir,
I introduce myself as I dont have knowledge of linux systems .But I want to learn LINUX.
I have a problem in a Digital Video Recorder Linux based embeded system which used HD for rrecording Video images.Os and applications are in the motherboard only.As I switch on the system, the screen shows INITIALISE and then the application starts itself.we cannot log into the admin of application to setup the system. The connected cameras are viewable.The user has lost or deleted the admin password.
Please guide me how to solve the problem. The system is working as normal except the admin login .I dont know the version of LINUX operating system.Or I need ghosting of program from one good system(I have another machine in good working status with password.

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3 how to reset user password January 19, 2010 at 3:18 pm

i was going to reset the root password and it doesen’t work it was saying somthing like control-d command and i can’t type in “passwd best”

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4 ping z February 3, 2010 at 1:15 pm

i open help of yahoo site. i open how to change my password.
it open the page but my cursur does not work, it doesn’t type a single letter.
so many times i did it but it doesn’t go… please help.

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5 DARREN j July 21, 2011 at 4:47 pm

I HAVE JUST BOUGHT ONE OF THESE SECOND HAND SO HOW DO I GET THE PASSWORD TO OPEN THINGS LIKE I DOWNLOADED GOOGLE CHROME AND IT ASKED FOR A PASSWORD

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6 xman September 24, 2011 at 10:30 am

thank you so much.
i have a same problem.
i resolved with your help.

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7 Luis Alberto September 28, 2011 at 1:46 am

how to apply to multiple servers?

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8 madhusudhakar April 16, 2012 at 9:35 am

Hello sir,
This is XXX,I want kill other user’s processes in linux.
Anyone having idea about this,pls send solution.
Thx in advance……………………

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9 shree December 11, 2012 at 9:25 am

their is no permissions to change the password even though if we change the password it gives changed successfully how come it can give in a normal user

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