How To Change User's Password in Linux

When creating new user accounts under linux, new users are given with unassigned password fields, represented by double !! marks. The field format of /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files in linux OS have been covered previously here. If you wish to change a user password, read on.

Change User's Default Password in Linux

If you have just created a new user john by issuing the below command

# useradd -d /home/john

You can simply change john's default linux password by issuing

# passwd john

When changing password, any differences for password confirmation would not be accepted, it is therefore important to type the new password correctly on both confirmation fields. The password entry would not be displayed while you are retyping john's password.

Changing of password for users in linux requires a super user account privelege, most likely as root. And lastly, it is required to remember the new password when changing user password.

All is done.