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Asked: 2024-09-27T02:11:30+05:30 In:

How can I determine the root password on an Ubuntu system?

I’ve been diving into Ubuntu lately, and I hit a wall when it comes to the root password. It’s a bit frustrating because I really want to take full control of my system to explore its capabilities. So, here’s the thing: I’ve got this Ubuntu setup that I use for personal projects, and I totally forgot the root password. Yeah, I know, classic rookie mistake, right?

I’ve been trying to figure out ways to regain access without having to reinstall the whole thing. I came across a couple of methods online, like booting into recovery mode and resetting the password from there, but I’m not 100% sure about the steps. I mean, I’ve read that you can drop to a root shell prompt in recovery mode, but then what? Do I just type in a new password, or is there something specific I need to do? It seems like a lot could go wrong if I don’t follow the right steps, and the last thing I want is to mess up my system.

Also, I’ve heard some people mention using `sudo` or modifying the GRUB boot parameters to reset the password, but honestly, that sounds a bit complicated. I get nervous messing with boot configs, especially if it can lead to a non-booting system. Have any of you guys been in the same boat? Or are there some easier methods I might have overlooked?

I’m also curious – is there a way to avoid getting locked out in the future? Like, should I set up a different user for admin privileges and keep the root access limited? I just want to ensure I don’t face this issue again. Any advice, experiences, or even horror stories would be super helpful. I’d really appreciate it if you could break down the steps for me, or share any tips to stay secure without losing access. Thanks a bunch!

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    2 Answers



    1. Ubuntu Root Password Recovery


      Recovering Your Ubuntu Root Password

      First off, it’s totally normal to forget passwords, especially when diving deep into a new system like Ubuntu. Let’s break down the steps to regain access to that elusive root password without reinstalling everything.

      Booting into Recovery Mode

      1. Restart your computer.
      2. Hold down the Shift key during boot to bring up the GRUB menu. If you see it, great!
      3. Select the entry for your Ubuntu installation, but don’t hit enter just yet.
      4. Press e to edit the boot parameters.
      5. Find the line that starts with linux. At the end of this line, add init=/bin/bash.
      6. Press Ctrl + X to boot with these parameters.

      Now, you should boot into a root shell prompt.

      Resetting the Password

          # At the root shell prompt, type:
    mount -o remount,rw /
    passwd root

      Now, enter the new password when prompted (make sure it’s something you can remember!). After that, you can reboot your system by typing:

          exec /sbin/init

      Using sudo

      If you have a user with sudo privileges, you can reset your password by just typing:

          sudo passwd root

      This allows you to set a new root password without jumping through recovery mode hoops.

      Avoiding Future Lockouts

      If you want to avoid this in the future, consider using your regular user account with sudo for administrative tasks. You can have a user with the rights to do most things without needing the root password. It’s safer and easier!

      And hey, keep your passwords in a password manager if you can – they’re a lifesaver!

      Good luck, and don’t panic! It’s all part of the learning curve, and you’ll be a pro in no time!


    2. To regain access to your Ubuntu system after forgetting the root password, booting into recovery mode is a reliable method. First, restart your computer and hold down the Shift key while booting to access the GRUB menu. From there, select the “Advanced options for Ubuntu” and then choose the recovery mode option (usually marked with a “(recovery mode)” suffix). Once in recovery mode, you will see the Recovery Menu. Select the “root” option, which will drop you into a root shell prompt with read-only access. To remount the filesystem with write permissions, type mount -o remount,rw / and press Enter. Now, you can reset the password by typing passwd username, replacing username with the actual username you want to reset the password for. Follow the prompts to enter and confirm your new password.

      As for avoiding similar issues in the future, it’s advisable to use `sudo` instead of logging in as root for administrative tasks. This way, your regular user account can perform administrative functions without needing to switch to root, reducing the likelihood of being locked out. Consider creating a user with `sudo` privileges and use it for daily activities. To set up a user with sudo privileges, you can run sudo adduser newuser followed by sudo usermod -aG sudo newuser, replacing newuser with your desired username. Additionally, always keep a backup of your important passwords and use password managers for better security management. This approach minimizes the chances of being locked out while maintaining effective control over your system.

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