How To Reset Keyring on Ubuntu: A Complete Guide

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to reset the keyring on Ubuntu. Keyring is a built-in feature of Ubuntu that stores your passwords and encryption keys. While it’s a useful tool, there may be times when you need to reset it. Let’s dive in.

What is Keyring?

Keyring is a password management system in Ubuntu. It stores your passwords and encryption keys securely. When you use a network server or web application requiring a password, keyring can remember those passwords for you. However, if you forget the keyring password, you may need to reset it.

How to Reset Keyring on Ubuntu

Method 1: Using Terminal

The terminal is a powerful tool that can help you reset the keyring. Here are the steps:

1. Open the terminal by searching for it in the Ubuntu Dash or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. In the terminal, type the following command:

rm ~/.local/share/keyrings -fr

Let’s break down this command:

• rm is the remove command in Linux.
• ~/.local/share/keyrings is the directory where the keyrings are stored.
• -fr are options that force the removal of files without confirmation and recursively remove directories.

This command will remove the keyring directory and all its contents. The next time the setup for your keyring appears, choose not to set up any keyring.

Method 2: Using File Manager

If you’re more comfortable using a graphical interface, you can use the file manager to reset the keyring. Here’s how:

1. Open the file manager.
2. Navigate to the ~/.gnome2/keyrings/ directory.
3. Remove all the files in this directory that end with .keyring. This will delete any existing keyrings.

Note: If you cannot find the ~/.gnome2/keyrings/ directory, it may be because you are using a newer version of Ubuntu that uses a different keyring system. In that case, refer to the first method.

Post Reset Steps

After resetting or erasing the keyring, the next time the keyring prompt appears, do not enter a password for it and choose to use unsafe storage. This will prevent the keyring from asking for a password again and will still save your passwords without encryption.

Remember that disabling the keyring daemon will prevent it from running, but it will also disable the keyring’s ability to save passwords for your common programs.

Conclusion

Resetting the keyring on Ubuntu is a straightforward process, whether you prefer using the terminal or the file manager. Keep in mind that while disabling the keyring can be convenient, it also means your passwords won’t be stored as securely. Always consider the security implications before making changes to your system.

Please note that these instructions are specific to Ubuntu and may not apply to other operating systems. For more information about keyring, visit the official Ubuntu documentation.