---
title: "Ubuntu Linux: User Passwords"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/10731881875/Ubuntu%20Linux%3A%20User%20Passwords"
format: markdown
---
Students, faculty and staff can change user passwords in Ubuntu Linux.

> ℹ️ A<span style="color: #333333">ll Linux systems have a “root” user account similar to the Windows Administrator account. Certain system-sensitive commands can only be performed as root, regardless of a user’s privileges.</span>

## <span style="color: #333333">Changing Your Password Through the Terminal</span>

1. <span style="color: #333333">From the </span><span style="color: #333333">**Desktop Search**</span><span style="color: #333333">, enter the word </span><span style="color: #333333">*terminal*</span><span style="color: #333333">**. **</span>
2. <span style="color: #333333">Select the appropriate item.</span>
3. <span style="color: #333333">Ensure that the correct account name is showing.</span>
4. <span style="color: #333333">Enter </span><span style="color: #333333">**passwd.**</span>
5. <span style="color: #333333">Press </span><span style="color: #333333">**Enter**</span><span style="color: #333333">.</span>
6. <span style="color: #333333">Type in the current user password.</span>
7. <span style="color: #333333">Type in the new user password. The s</span>ystem will not accept a blank or empty password.
8. <span style="color: #333333">Retype the new password a second time. You should then receive a message confirming that the password has been successfully updated.</span>

## <span style="color: #333333">Changing Your Password Through the Ubuntu Menu</span>

1. <span style="color: #333333">Click on the </span><span style="color: #333333">**gear icon**</span><span style="color: #333333"> in the top-right of the desktop. </span>
2. <span style="color: #333333">Select </span><span style="color: #333333">**System Settings**</span><span style="color: #333333">.</span>
3. <span style="color: #333333">Click on </span><span style="color: #333333">**User Accounts**</span><span style="color: #333333">.</span>
4. <span style="color: #333333">If more than one user account is present:</span>
  1. <span style="color: #333333">S</span>elect the account for which you wish to change the password.
  2. Press **Password Field**<span style="color: #333333"> in the right column.</span>
5. <span style="color: #333333">Enter the current user password.</span>
6. <span style="color: #333333">Enter a new password.</span>
7. <span style="color: #333333">Retype the new password a second time.</span>
8. <span style="color: #333333">Press the </span><span style="color: #333333">**Change**</span><span style="color: #333333"> button.</span>

## <span style="color: #333333">Changing Any User's Password Through the Terminal</span>

1. <span style="color: #333333">From the </span><span style="color: #333333">**Desktop Search**</span><span style="color: #333333">, enter the word “terminal.”</span>
2. <span style="color: #333333">Select the appropriate item.</span>
3. <span style="color: #333333">At the command prompt, type “sudo passwd user name”</span><span style="color: #333333">* *</span><span style="color: #333333">and press </span><span style="color: #333333">**Enter.**</span><span style="color: #333333"> </span>
4. <span style="color: #333333">Enter the root user password.</span>
5. <span style="color: #333333">Enter the new user password.</span>
6. <span style="color: #333333">Retype the new password a second time. You should then receive the message that the password has successfully been updated.</span>

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