Lost Password

[MiSt]

I installed Linuxmint on a computer some time back, alongside or in a folder on Win 10. Password and user name were written in a book at the time, but the book was lost
Computter not used for some time, I pulled it out of the cupboard to update. No it needed the old password. Is there anyway to add a new password without knowing the old one.
Or can I download a new version of Mint and update the password that way ?

 

[KGIII]

Or can I download a new version of Mint and update the password that way ?

It's easier to go this route. Just do a nice, clean install. Your version of Mint is likely unsupported by now, as you mention that it has been quite some time. All you need to do is download the .iso from Mint's site, write it to disk with a tool like Balena Etcher, tell the computer to boot to that disk, and do the installation just like you did the first time around.

It's straightforward and you've seemingly done so in the past. So, it shouldn't be that much of a challenge.

You can browse around the old installation's home directory to see if there's data you'd like to save. You can do that while in the live environment, prior to doing the installation.

 

[bob466]

There are several ways to do this...
https://www.linux.org/threads/how-t...rd-from-the-live-session-in-linux-mint.45548/

If you want to do a clean install but want important files from the old install...boot to the Live Session...mount your internal Drive...plug in a Flash Drive and copy the files across.

 

[MiSt]

It's easier to go this route. Just do a nice, clean install. Your version of Mint is likely unsupported by now, as you mention that it has been quite some time. All you need to do is download the .iso from Mint's site, write it to disk with a tool like Balena Etcher, tell the computer to boot to that disk, and do the installation just like you did the first time around.

It's straightforward and you've seemingly done so in the past. So, it shouldn't be that much of a challenge.

You can browse around the old installation's home directory to see if there's data you'd like to save. You can do that while in the live environment, prior to doing the installation.

Thank you, at 84 the memory isn't what it was ten years back. I figured a way to help by putting all the details in a word document. lol. yes on the computer in question. I have just bricked three HDDs trying several ways to put Mint on different computers, Dual boot with Win 7, win 10 etc. I was left with a Grub screen that would not accept any commands. ? Any help would be fantastic.

 

[Brickwizard]

I am assuming you have a 64 bit machine

PRINT AND SAVE

go to MINTLMDE DOWNLOAD and download to a working computer linux apple or any old working windows

now download Rufus for windows or Etcher for others to burn the iso, you will need either a clean reasonably new [free of faults] usb pendrive of at least 4gb [now go to https://linux-tips.us/how-do-i-install-linux-a-general-guide/] and follow instructions down to install but no further,
you should now have a working desktop [in test mode] from this you can open my computer, find the home folder and save [preferably to another pendrive] any folders/files/pictures/music/documents you want, once you have done this remove the drive you have saved your work to, and continue to install Linux

Oh and welcome to the forums

 

[APTI]

I have an easy way. I use this in shop... directly from our notes..

====================== recover lost password (mint) ===================
boot computer and open grub menu (hold shift key during boot)
edit boot menu add rw init=/bin/bash to the linux line
f10 to save and finish boot
passwd {user} and put in new password

 

[dos2unix]

Thread 'How to reset a lost password.'

Sep 30, 2025

Step-by-Step: Resetting a Linux Password via LiveUSB and chroot


Boot from a LiveUSB

Use any Linux Live distro (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, etc.).
Most modern distros support chroot, but some minimal ones (like Tiny Core or Puppy Linux) might not include it by default.



Open a Terminal


Identify the root partition

sudo fdisk -l
Look for the Linux partition (usually something like /dev/sda2). (rarely will /etc be on it's own partition, but I have seen it).


Mount the root partition

sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mntShow more lines


Mount necessary virtual filesystems

sudo mount --bind /dev...

• dos2unix
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Command Line

• 

 

[MiSt]

It's easier to go this route. Just do a nice, clean install. Your version of Mint is likely unsupported by now, as you mention that it has been quite some time. All you need to do is download the .iso from Mint's site, write it to disk with a tool like Balena Etcher, tell the computer to boot to that disk, and do the installation just like you did the first time around.

It's straightforward and you've seemingly done so in the past. So, it shouldn't be that much of a challenge.

You can browse around the old installation's home directory to see if there's data you'd like to save. You can do that while in the live environment, prior to doing the installation.

Thank you, Yes that problem is fixed.

 

[KGIII]

Thank you, Yes that problem is fixed.

If you're happy with the results, you can edit your first post to mark it solved. (It's a drop down next to the title.)