What is passwd Linux command?
The Linux passwd command is used to change a user’s password. It allows users to update their passwords securely and manage their account access.
passwd Syntax:
passwd [options] [username]passwd Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -a, —all | Report password status on all accounts |
| -d, —delete | Delete the password for the specified account |
| -e, —expire | Force the specified account’s password to expire |
| -h, —help | Display help message |
| -l, —lock | Lock the password of the specified account |
| -u, —unlock | Unlock the password of the specified account |
Parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| username | The username for which the password should be changed |
passwd Command Usage Examples:
Change password for the current user
passwdAllows the current user to change their password.
Change password for a specific user
sudo passwd usernameEnables an authorized user to change the password for a specified username.
Force password change on the next login
sudo passwd -e usernameForces the specified user to change their password upon the next login.
Lock a user account
sudo passwd -l usernameLocks the specified user account, preventing login until the password is reset.
Unlock a user account
sudo passwd -u usernameUnlocks the specified user account, allowing login with the current password.
How do I change my own password in Linux?
To change your own password using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command:
passwdHow do I change another user’s password in Linux?
To change another user’s password using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd <username>How do I force a user to change their password on next login in Linux?
To force a user to change their password on the next login using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd --expire <username>How do I lock a user account in Linux using passwd?
To lock a user account using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd --lock <username>How do I unlock a user account in Linux using passwd?
To unlock a user account using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd --unlock <username>How do I display password status information in Linux using passwd?
To display password status information using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd --status <username>How do I set password aging or expiration policies in Linux using passwd?
To set password aging or expiration policies using the passwd command in bash, execute the following command as a superuser:
sudo passwd --maxdays <days> --mindays <days> --warndays <days> --inactivedays <days> <username>Applications of the passwd command
- Change a user’s password
- Update user’s password aging information
- Lock or unlock a user’s password
- Verify the current user’s password