Reset Ubuntu Password on Windows

This week, I wanted to check a Docker command within Docker itself. I have been working with the dockerd engine on my Windows WSL 2 installation. Although I had been working through the terminal in VS Code, I wanted to try using the Ubuntu shell.

I found I had 2 versions of Ubuntu installed, each with its own password, and later realized I needed to log into the WSL shell. I researched and located a helpful solution on Stack Exchange that I summarized for use again in the future.

Password Change Process

• Using the Ubuntu shell, note the following:
  • The version of Ubuntu you are using (I had a previous install as well as Ubuntu 18.04 in WSL)
  • Your username
• Close the Ubuntu shell
• Open PowerShell as Admin and reset the Ubuntu config to log in as root
  • Ubuntu:

  ubuntu config --default-user root

• Ubuntu 18.04:

  ubuntu1804 config --default-user root

• Re-open the Ubuntu shell - you will be logged in as root
• Execute the passwd command and follow the prompts; ensure you secure your new password in a password safe! Do not include angle brackets.

   passwd <username>

• Close the Ubuntu shell
• Open PowerShell as Admin and reset the Ubuntu config to log in as your username. Do not include angle brackets.
  • Ubuntu:

  ubuntu config --default-user <username>

• Ubuntu 18.04:

  ubuntu1804 config --default-user <username>

• Log into Ubuntu and confirm the new password

I followed these steps for both versions of Ubuntu, and I was able to reset both passwords. Once I opened the WSL shell, I was able to use my Ubuntu 18.04 credentials to start dockerd and check the commands I needed.

Resources

Reset the password in Ubuntu/Linux Bash in Windows