How to Change Your User Password In Linux

Linux set password instructions

By
Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen
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Jack Wallen is a former Lifewire writer, an award-winning writer for TechRepublic and Linux.com, and the voice of The Android Expert.
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Jack Wallen
Updated January 23, 2020

With the Linux operating system, it’s to change your user password. It’s easiest to change your password from a shell prompt. The steps below show you how to change your Linux user password and reset your Linux password.

How to Change Your Linux Password

How you change your password from the command line is accomplished with the passwd command. Don’t let the idea of the command line scare you off from this (as it’s incredibly simple). Here’s how to use this command:

  1. Open a terminal window.

  2. Issue the command passwd.

    Screenshot of the passwd command.

  3. When prompted, type your current user password.

  4. Type the new password.

    Screenshot of typing a new user password.

  5. Verify the password by typing it a second time.

  6. Close the terminal window.

The password change takes effect immediately.

Linux: Reset User Password

To change someone else's password, use the sudo command.

  1. Open a terminal window.

  2. Issue the command sudo passwd USERNAME (where USERNAME is the name of the user whose password you want to change).

    Screenshot of changing another user's password.

  3. Type your user password.

  4. Type the new password for the other user.

  5. Retype the new password.

    Screenshot of retyping a new password.

  6. Close the terminal.