Ubuntu Linux: User Passwords
- June Miller (Deactivated)
- Sarah Nguyen (Deactivated)
- Former user (Deleted)
Students, faculty and staff can change user passwords in Ubuntu Linux.
All Linux systems have a “root” user account similar to the Windows Administrator account. Certain system-sensitive commands can only be performed as root, regardless of a user’s privileges.
Changing Your Password Through the Terminal
From the Desktop Search, enter the word terminal.
Select the appropriate item.
Ensure that the correct account name is showing.
Enter passwd.
Press Enter.
Type in the current user password.
Type in the new user password. The system will not accept a blank or empty password.
Retype the new password a second time. You should then receive a message confirming that the password has been successfully updated.
Changing Your Password Through the Ubuntu Menu
Click on the gear icon in the top-right of the desktop.
Select System Settings.
Click on User Accounts.
If more than one user account is present:
Select the account for which you wish to change the password.
Press Password Field in the right column.
Enter the current user password.
Enter a new password.
Retype the new password a second time.
Press the Change button.
Changing Any User's Password Through the Terminal
From the Desktop Search, enter the word “terminal.”
Select the appropriate item.
At the command prompt, type “sudo passwd user name” and press Enter.
Enter the root user password.
Enter the new user password.
Retype the new password a second time. You should then receive the message that the password has successfully been updated.