Linux: Resetting a user’s password

by Vivek Gite on November 26, 2007 · 7 comments

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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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 jj August 29, 2008

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

jj

Reply

2 Mohamed yousuf December 12, 2008

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

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

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.

Reply

5 DARREN j July 21, 2011

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

Reply

6 xman September 24, 2011

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

Reply

7 Luis Alberto September 28, 2011

how to apply to multiple servers?

Reply

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