Linux: Resetting a user’s password

by Vivek Gite [Last updated: 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.

Want to read Linux tips and tricks, but don't have time to check our blog everyday? Subscribe to our daily email newsletter to make sure you don't miss a single tip/tricks. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here!

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 jj 08.29.08 at 5:47 am

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

jj

2 Mohamed yousuf 12.12.08 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.

Leave a Comment

You can use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Tagged as: , , , , , , ,

Previous post: How do I find out Linux System Memory Utilization?

Next post: Understanding Bash fork() bomb ~ :(){ :|:& };: