How To Change Your Forgotten User Password From the Live Session In Linux Mint.

[bob466]

There are many things you can't do without your password...Login...Run Commands...Install Software...Use Timeshift...Enable the Firewall etc.
If you're a beginner and you forget your password and can't solve this problem your screwed. There's an easy way to fix this with the live session...for beginners the live session is the ISO you burn to a Flash Drive.

The first thing is Boot to the live session...you need to know is where the Linux File System is...on the Desktop open a Terminal and type this command and hit Enter.

sudo fdisk -l

you will see this...

As you can see mine is sda3 If you have more than one partition yours will be different it might be sda4 sda5 etc...now clear the Terminal.
We now need to create a directory to mount it type this command and hit Enter.

sudo mkdir /media/sda3

The next command will mount it in the /media/sda3 folder.

sudo mount /dev/sda3 /media/sda3

Now we run the command that makes everything work...chroot. Now type this command and hit Enter.

sudo chroot /media/sda3

Now we'll use the passwd command to change your user account's password. type passwd username note my username is bob

passwd bob

Type your new password and hit Enter...Re-type your new password and hit Enter...if all is well you'll see password updated successfully.
Now type Exit and hit Enter as shown...

Close the Terminal and Re-Boot...you'll see remove media and press Enter...when you Boot just enter you new password.

If your a beginner the best way to avoid all of this is to write down your password in an exercise book so you don't forget it as I did...especially it you use a different password for a new install...of cause you can change it with the Grub Menu but I think this is easier...hope this helps.

 

[sofasurfer]

Now we run the command that makes everything work...chroot. Now type this command and hit Enter.

sudo chroot /media/sda3

Is the purpose of this command to cause any implemented command to be applied to the installed system?

 

[bob466]

All the commands are run in order as shown from the Live Session to change the unknown or forgotten Password on the installed System.

 

[sofasurfer]

My point is, so ANY command that I run from the live dvd will take effect on the installed system?

 

[wizardfromoz]

My point is, so ANY command that I run from the live dvd will take effect on the installed system?

Likely. Do you have something in mind?

Wizard

 

[bob466]

My point is, so ANY command that I run from the live dvd will take effect on the installed system?

No that's not correct but the commands shown in this article do...just read the title.

 

[K0naldo]

Hi Bob - writing for this topic

How To Change Your Forgotten User Password From the Live Session In Linux Mint dateJun 17, 2023​

...but useless. Live session may not apply for me. Other online response to forgotten or lost Pword keeps me in circle where I'm still asked to enter the password I don't know. Is the only other option, to reload a fresh Mint version? I began that, got a 6/8 hr download and an iso that did not extract. Suggestions? I believe my Mint somehow bypasses usual Grub. It was copied & sold to me in a University sale of an orignal Windows system. It must be loaded as the most user friendly Linux version. I am not required to login to use except to run Brave browser. Firefox does not require that. But, is required for all updates, authenticates. Lost my password after concussion from automobile hit. Is ISO load my best option for fresh updates - my Mint 20.3 is expiring.

 

[Condobloke]

Live session may not apply for me.

The live session is arrived at by using a bootable usb stick with your particular version of Linux mint on it

When Linux was installed on your pc, a usb stick of this type would have been used to do that installation

Do you still have it ?

 

[KGIII]

The live session is arrived at by using a bootable usb stick with your particular version of Linux mint on it

Just to add some additional information, it doesn't specifically need to be Mint. Any "live environment" options should do the trick. The commands will be the same as those listed above. It shouldn't even require being in the same 'family' of distros, just as long as it provides some sort of live environment. Strictly speaking, you won't even need a GUI for this.

I'm hoping this adds to, rather than confuses, them.

 

[Condobloke]

Another way of doing the password change, is by following this video.

Keep in mind, the user name of the guy doing the video is syslike ....so remember to substitute YOUR user name for that when the time comes

Watch it a few times...you can tap the space bar to pause it.....to write down the command he types in to the terminal.

 

[bob466]

Hi Bob - writing for this topic

How To Change Your Forgotten User Password From the Live Session In Linux Mint dateJun 17, 2023​

...but useless. Live session may not apply for me. Other online response to forgotten or lost Pword keeps me in circle where I'm still asked to enter the password I don't know. Is the only other option, to reload a fresh Mint version? I began that, got a 6/8 hr download and an iso that did not extract. Suggestions? I believe my Mint somehow bypasses usual Grub. It was copied & sold to me in a University sale of an orignal Windows system. It must be loaded as the most user friendly Linux version. I am not required to login to use except to run Brave browser. Firefox does not require that. But, is required for all updates, authenticates. Lost my password after concussion from automobile hit. Is ISO load my best option for fresh updates - my Mint 20.3 is expiring.

Welcome to the Forum.

It seems you're very new to Linux and don't understand the Article I wrote...there are other ways to change a forgotten password but this is the easiest way in my opinion and works 100% but you are free to try other ways.

When you download the Mint ISO and burn it to a Flash Drive...then Boot to it and start to install...you'll be asked to create a password. This password is required to do many things...so you must remember it.

Should you forget your password and can't Login...then you use the above Article to change it so you can Login...once Logged in you can change your known password with the Terminal.
As I'm running Mint Cinnamon 21.1...I'll use the Mint Cinnamon 21.1 ISO...when you Boot to the ISO...it's called the Live Session...hope this helps.

 

[K0naldo]

Li

Another way of doing the password change, is by following this video.

Keep in mind, the user name of the guy doing the video is syslike ....so remember to substitute YOUR user name for that when the time comes

Watch it a few times...you can tap the space bar to pause it.....to write down the command he types in to the terminal.

Like A Charm! had read this attempt version elsewhere. Must have done wrong steps (taking me, I think to ReCovery). This was clear as punch(?). My packages are updating, after nearly 2yrs. Now I will get my new Mint. Thanks MUCH! I will have the best new yr... You Do TOO.