change-linux-root-password

name	Change-Linux-Root-Password
description	This skill outlines two methods to change the root password in Linux: one when you have the current password, and another when you need to reset it without the current password.
license	MIT
compatibility	Requires bash
metadata	{"author":"your-name","version":"1.0"}
triggers	["change-root-password","linux-password"]

Skill Content

How to Change the Root Password in Linux

Method 1: If you have the current root password

1. Open a terminal window: Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open a new terminal window with a command prompt.
   • If you're not using a desktop environment, you're already at a command prompt, so proceed to the next step.
2. Type su at the command prompt: Press ↵ Enter. This will open a Password: line below the command prompt.
3. Type the current root password: Press ↵ Enter. When the password is accepted, you will be brought back to the command prompt as the root user.
   • If you type the password incorrectly, run su and try again.
   • Passwords are case-sensitive.
4. Type passwd: Press ↵ Enter. An Enter new UNIX password: line will appear below the prompt.
5. Type a new password: Press ↵ Enter. The password you type will not appear on the screen.
6. Retype the new password: Press ↵ Enter. You will see a message that reads “password updated successfully.”
7. Type exit: Press ↵ Enter. This will log you out of the root account.
8. Restart your computer.

Method 2: If you don't have access to the current root password (via Grub menu)

1. Restart your Linux computer.
2. Press E at the Grub menu: The Grub menu appears right after you turn on the computer. In most cases, it only stays on the screen for a few moments.
   • If you don’t press E before the Grub menu disappears, reboot and try again.
   • This method works for most popular Linux distributions (Ubuntu, CentOS 7, Debian). If you’re not able to get to single-user mode with this method, check your distribution’s website for instructions specific to your system.
3. Scroll to the line that begins with linux /boot: Use the ↑ and ↓ keys to do so. This is the line you will need to modify in order to boot into single-user mode.
   • In CentOS and some other distributions, the line may begin with linux16 rather than linux.
4. Move the cursor to the end of the line: Use the →, ←, ↑, and ↓ keys to place the cursor right after ro.
5. Type init=/bin/bash after ro: The end of the line should now look like this: ro init=/bin/bash. Note the space between ro and init=/bin/bash.
6. Press Ctrl+X: This tells the system to boot directly to a root-level command prompt in single-user mode.
7. Type mount –o remount,rw / at the prompt: Press ↵ Enter. This mounts the file system in read-write mode.
8. Type passwd at the prompt: Press ↵ Enter. Since booting into single-user mode gives you root access, there is no need to pass additional parameters to the passwd command.
9. Type a new root password: Press ↵ Enter. The characters you type will not be displayed on the screen. This is normal.
10. Retype the new password: Press ↵ Enter. When the system confirms you’ve re-entered the same password, you will see a message that reads “password updated successfully.”
11. Type reboot –f: Press ↵ Enter. This command reboots the system normally.