In this article, we are going to discuss how to fix password issues when using sudo in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) if you are using a Microsoft account on Windows 10.
To fix password issues when using sudo in WSL with a Microsoft account on Windows 10, you need to change the password for your Linux user in WSL. This can be done by logging in as the root user in WSL and using the passwd command to set a new password for your Linux user.
Understanding the Issue
The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a powerful tool that allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows, without the need for a dual-boot setup or a virtual machine. However, if you’re using a Microsoft account to log into Windows 10, you might encounter issues when trying to use the sudo command in WSL.
The problem arises because the password for your Linux user in WSL is separate from your Windows password. Even though you might be using the same username, the passwords are not synchronized. This can lead to confusion when you’re asked to enter your password after running a command with sudo in WSL.
The Solution: Changing Your Linux User Password in WSL
To fix this issue, you need to change the password for your Linux user in WSL. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open a Windows Command Prompt
You can do this by searching for cmd in the Windows search bar and clicking on the Command Prompt app.
Step 2: Log in as the Root User in WSL
In the command prompt, run the following command:
wsl --user rootThe --user parameter allows you to specify which user you want to log in as in WSL. In this case, we’re logging in as root, which is the superuser in Linux and has the ability to change user passwords.
Step 3: Change Your Linux User’s Password
Once you’re logged in as root, you can change your Linux user’s password by running the following command:
passwd usernameReplace username with your actual Linux username. You’ll be prompted to enter a new password. After setting the new password, you can exit the root session by running the exit command.
Step 4: Test Your New Password
Now, you can test your new password by opening a new WSL session and running a command with sudo. You should be able to use the new password you just set.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter the error “user not found” when running wsl --user root, it may indicate that your Linux user does not exist or is not set up correctly in WSL. In this case, you can try creating a new Linux user in WSL and setting its password using the adduser command.
Remember that the password you set in WSL is specific to WSL and is not linked to your Windows password or Microsoft account password.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explained how to fix password issues when using sudo in WSL with a Microsoft account on Windows 10. We hope this guide has been helpful and has resolved any issues you were experiencing. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out or consult the WSL documentation.
No, the password for your Linux user in WSL is separate from your Windows account password. You will need to set a separate password for your Linux user in WSL.
You can check if your Linux user exists in WSL by running the command cat /etc/passwd in a WSL session. This will display a list of all the users in WSL, including your Linux user.
If you forgot your Linux user password in WSL, you can follow the steps mentioned in this article to change your Linux user password. By logging in as the root user in WSL, you can set a new password for your Linux user.
Yes, you can use the same password for multiple Linux users in WSL. However, it is generally recommended to use unique passwords for each user for security purposes.
No, you cannot change the password for your Windows account from WSL. The password change needs to be done through the Windows settings or control panel.
