ubuntu change password

Ubuntu systems are secure compared to other platforms like Windows, but a system’s security is ultimately dependent on the user, starting with fundamentals like the user’s password. 

If you’re still using an easy-to-guess password, it’s high time you changed it to something secure. Ubuntu lets you do this easily using tools like passwd or from User Settings. Do note that you’ll need admin privileges to change the password of other users.

Change User Password with passwd

The passwd command is used to perform password-related actions like changing the password or its validity period. 

To change the current user’s password, you can simply use passwd like so

passwd

You can change another user’s password by specifying their username and using sudo.

sudo passwd anup

The expire option is useful when you want to let the user set the password at their next login.

sudo passwd -e anup

Change via User Settings

You can also change your password from the Settings app if you prefer sticking to the GUI.

  1. Search and open ‘Users’ from the Activities overview.
    user settings ubuntu
  2. To change the current user’s password, click on Password from the Authentication & Login section.
    ubuntu authentication login password
  3. Enter the current password, set the new one, and click on Change.
    change password on ubuntu
  4. To change another user’s password, click on Unlock first. You’ll need to enter a sudo user account’s password for authentication.
    unlock user settings ubuntu
  5. Now, you can change the password of other users as done in Steps 2-3. You can also let the user change the password on the next login if you want.
    allow user to change password on next login
Anup Thapa

Senior Writer

Anup Thapa is a Linux enthusiast with an extensive background in computer hardware and networking. His goal is to effectively communicate technical concepts in a simplified form understandable by new Linux users. To this end, he mainly writes beginner-friendly tutorials and troubleshooting guides. Outside of work, he enjoys reading up on a range of topics, traveling, working out, and MOBAs.