How To Reset Linux Forgotten Root Password
Too forgetful or too much security enforcements that have caused you to lost a Linux root password, as most of the time you’re forced to use sudo command for daily admin tasks?
Don’t be so much worry or regret, as you might able to easily reset a Linux lost password in a short while!
I’ve personally tested this Linux trick in Red Hat Linux 9 default installation environment. So, I believe the same trick can be applied on most Linux distribution as well.
A step-by-step Linux password hacking trick – How to reset Linux forgotten root password?
Reboot the Linux machine by pressing the hardware reset button. In a default Linux installation, pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL hotkey might able to reboot Linux immediately too.
Upon Linux booting up to GRUB loader GUI, move the arrow key up/down to highlight and select the Linux kernel and press
Next, move the arrow key up/down to select the Linux kernel and press
Append a single space followed by the word
After pressing ENTER key, you should now have a similar GRUB screenshot as of follow. Keep the Linux kernel highlighted and press
Once the Linux boot up completely into single user maintenance mode, the Linux command prompt is ready to execute command. Now, you can type
Done. Type
So, isn’t it easy to hack or reset a forgotten root password in Linux? Yes, this Linux trick works well on Red Hat Linux Enterprise Linux 4 too. However, bear in mind that the trick will only valid for a default Linux installation or without strengthening Linux security!
Don’t be so much worry or regret, as you might able to easily reset a Linux lost password in a short while!
A step-by-step Linux password hacking trick – How to reset Linux forgotten root password?
Reboot the Linux machine by pressing the hardware reset button. In a default Linux installation, pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL hotkey might able to reboot Linux immediately too.
Upon Linux booting up to GRUB loader GUI, move the arrow key up/down to highlight and select the Linux kernel and press
e to edit the GRUB commands before booting:Next, move the arrow key up/down to select the Linux kernel and press
e again:Append a single space followed by the word
single at the end of edited line, as shown in this snapshot:After pressing ENTER key, you should now have a similar GRUB screenshot as of follow. Keep the Linux kernel highlighted and press
b to boot up with the “single” keyword, which will boot Linux into single user maintenance mode:Once the Linux boot up completely into single user maintenance mode, the Linux command prompt is ready to execute command. Now, you can type
passwd to reset the forgotten root password – without prompting for old root password, just type a new root password and re-type to confirm:Done. Type
reboot or exit to reboot. On next boot up, you can login with the new root password!So, isn’t it easy to hack or reset a forgotten root password in Linux? Yes, this Linux trick works well on Red Hat Linux Enterprise Linux 4 too. However, bear in mind that the trick will only valid for a default Linux installation or without strengthening Linux security!
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Use switch LABEL =/ linux single
instead of “single” …
In red hat linux 9 with GRUB loader
excellent! great! it works!
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if i could kiss you right now I would! thank you!
Hey !!
Thanks a lot I tried is working fine….
Reg,
S.Khaleel.
hey…………
i will try when got a chance
looking effective…………………….
Whenever I get to the grub menu it states enter “p” for password to even select the append options. is there anyway to recover that password as this is the one I need reset… Can u help?
@Capers, that is not the Linux user account password, it is grub boot-loader password. I am sorry to say that couldn’t you now.
Please anyone who read this and know how to reset the grub bootloader password, please reply to help Capers.
Great article !! Very useful. Thanks a lot!!!
Regards.
thanks super !!!
thanks for specially work for help for Linux
alt+ control+ delete+ did not work for me.does any one else know how to by-pass password on red hat linux.