How to Reset Forgotten Password in Linux

How to Reset Forgotten Password in Linux.md

How to Reset Forgotten Password in Linux

• While your computer is booting, press F8 key (in case boot menu doesn't appear)
• From the boot menu select the "recovery mode" option and boot into recovery mode.
• Select the option 'Drop to root shell prompt'
• Type the following command to change the password: passwd username
  • Example:
    • passwd bigfatsoftware
    • passwd tangoabcdelta

If you get an 'Authentication token manipulations error'

It means that the Filesystem state is in 'Read only'. To fix it:

• Type the following command:
  • mount -rw -o remount
  • Enter this command before entering the first command
• If the computer refuses to accept commands after selecting the 'Drop to root shell prompt' option, then do the following:
  • Mount the filesystem as read-write (rw)
  • Go to the recovery menu
  • Select "fsck"
  • This will mount your filesystem as rw
  • It will also check the disk for errors
  • After that you can use the root shell

Concerns about data loss:

• There is no data to be lost.
• You are just modifying the file /etc/passwd by the aforementioned steps

Prevent your computer from recovery in the future:

• Go to terminal
• Type sudo nano /etc/default/grub
• Find #GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY="true"
• Uncomment that line
• Save and Exit the nano text editor