How To Reset Password In Virtual Machine On Virtualbox Ubuntu

Introduction

Welcome to this guide on how to reset the password in a virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu. Sometimes, we may forget the password for our virtual machine or encounter other login issues that prevent us from accessing our system. However, with a few simple steps, we can reset the password and regain control.

VirtualBox is a popular virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. Ubuntu, on the other hand, is a widely used Linux distribution known for its user-friendly interface and robust security features.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to reset the password for your virtual machine running Ubuntu on VirtualBox and gain access to your system again. So, let’s dive in and get started!

Before proceeding, it’s essential to note that this guide is specifically tailored for VirtualBox and Ubuntu. The methods mentioned may not apply to other virtualization software or Linux distributions. Also, keep in mind that resetting the password may cause data loss, so it’s crucial to have proper backups in place.

Now that we have set the context let’s move on to the first step, which is accessing the VirtualBox settings.

Step 1: Access the VirtualBox Settings

The first step in resetting the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu is to access the VirtualBox settings. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the VirtualBox application on your computer. It can usually be found in the Applications or Programs menu, depending on your operating system.
2. Select the virtual machine for which you want to reset the password from the left-hand side of the VirtualBox window. The virtual machine must be powered off to make changes to its settings.
3. Click on the “Settings” button in the toolbar at the top of the VirtualBox window. This will open the settings window for the selected virtual machine.
4. In the settings window, navigate to the “System” tab if it’s not already selected.
5. Under the “Motherboard” tab, go to the “Boot Order” section and ensure that the “Hard Disk” option is listed first. If not, simply drag and drop it to the top of the list.
6. Click on the “OK” button to save the changes and close the settings window.

Now that you have successfully accessed the VirtualBox settings for your virtual machine, you can proceed to the next step, which is choosing the virtual machine.

Step 2: Choose the Virtual Machine

After accessing the VirtualBox settings, the next step in resetting the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu is to choose the virtual machine you want to modify. Follow the instructions below:

1. If you haven’t already done so, open the VirtualBox application on your computer.
2. In the left-hand side of the VirtualBox window, you will see a list of virtual machines that you have created. Select the virtual machine for which you need to reset the password.
3. Make sure that the virtual machine is powered off. If it is currently running, select the virtual machine and click the “Close” button to turn it off.
4. With the virtual machine selected, click on the “Settings” button in the toolbar at the top of the VirtualBox window. This will open the settings window specifically for the chosen virtual machine.
5. Verify that you are in the correct settings window by checking the title, which should match the name of the virtual machine you selected.

At this point, you have successfully chosen the virtual machine for which you want to reset the password. Moving forward, we will explore how to start the virtual machine in order to proceed with the password reset process.

Step 3: Start the Virtual Machine

Once you have chosen the virtual machine for which you want to reset the password, the next step is to start the virtual machine. Follow the instructions below:

1. In the VirtualBox main window, ensure that the selected virtual machine is highlighted.
2. Click on the “Start” button in the toolbar at the top of the VirtualBox window. This will initiate the boot process for the chosen virtual machine.
3. A new window will open, displaying the virtual machine’s console. You will see the startup process, similar to when you would boot up a physical computer.
4. Allow the virtual machine to fully start up. You will be presented with the login screen of the operating system inside the virtual machine.
5. At this point, you can proceed to the next step of accessing the GRUB boot menu to make the necessary changes for resetting the password.

By starting the virtual machine successfully, you are now ready to move on to the next step of accessing the GRUB boot menu. This will allow us to make the required modifications to reset the password and regain access to the virtual machine.

Step 4: Access GRUB Boot Menu

In order to reset the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu, you need to access the GRUB boot menu. The GRUB boot menu allows you to modify the boot parameters of the operating system, including resetting the password. Follow the instructions below to access the GRUB boot menu:

1. When the virtual machine starts up, wait for the GRUB boot menu to appear. By default, GRUB should display a menu with different boot options.
2. If the GRUB boot menu does not appear automatically, you may need to press and hold the Shift key immediately after starting the virtual machine to force it to appear.
3. Once the GRUB boot menu is visible, you will see a list of boot options, typically including the default boot option at the top.

Now that you have successfully accessed the GRUB boot menu, you can proceed to the next step of editing the boot parameters to reset the password and regain access to your virtual machine.

Step 5: Edit Boot Parameters

In order to reset the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu, you will need to edit the boot parameters in the GRUB menu. By modifying the boot parameters, you can gain access to the system and make the necessary changes. Follow the steps below to edit the boot parameters:

1. On the GRUB boot menu, locate the boot option for your Ubuntu operating system.
2. Highlight the boot option and press the e key on your keyboard to enter the edit mode.
3. A new screen will appear, showing the boot parameters for the selected boot option.
4. Move the cursor to the line that starts with “linux” or “linuxefi”. This line specifies the kernel boot parameters for the operating system.
5. Press the End key on your keyboard to navigate to the end of the line.
6. At the end of the line, add the following command: init=/bin/bash

Once you have added the init=/bin/bash command to the end of the line, you are ready to move on to the next step, which is resetting the password for your virtual machine running on VirtualBox Ubuntu.

Step 6: Resetting the Password

Now that you have edited the boot parameters in the GRUB menu, it’s time to proceed with resetting the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu. Follow the steps below to reset the password:

1. After adding the init=/bin/bash command to the end of the line, press the Ctrl and X keys simultaneously or press the F10 key to boot with the modified parameters.
2. The system will now boot up into a root shell prompt, giving you access to the system without requiring a password.
3. At the root shell prompt, you can use the passwd command to reset the password for your desired user account. For example, to reset the password for the user “ubuntu”, type passwd ubuntu and follow the on-screen instructions to set a new password.
4. Once you have successfully reset the password, you can reboot the system by entering the reboot command. This will restart the virtual machine.

By following these steps, you have successfully reset the password for your virtual machine running on VirtualBox Ubuntu. The new password you have set will now be required to login to the system.

Now, you can proceed to the final step of restarting the virtual machine and testing the new password.

Step 7: Restart the Virtual Machine

After successfully resetting the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu, the final step is to restart the virtual machine and test the new password. Follow the steps below to restart the virtual machine:

1. If the virtual machine is still running, shut it down gracefully by selecting the “Shut Down” or “Power Off” option from the operating system’s menu.
2. Once the virtual machine is powered off, select the virtual machine from the VirtualBox main window.
3. Click on the “Start” button in the toolbar to boot up the virtual machine again.
4. Allow the virtual machine to start up and reach the login screen.
5. Enter the newly reset password for your user account and press Enter.
6. If the login is successful, you have successfully reset the password and can now access your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu.

Congratulations! You have completed the process of resetting the password for your virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu. It is essential to remember the new password you have set to avoid any login issues in the future.

Remember to keep your virtual machine and system secure by choosing a strong and unique password. Additionally, consider enabling other security measures such as encryption or two-factor authentication to further protect your virtual machine and its data.

Now that you can access your virtual machine once again, you can resume your work or continue your explorations in the Ubuntu environment.

Conclusion

Resetting the password for a virtual machine on VirtualBox Ubuntu is a straightforward process that allows you to regain access to your system when you encounter password-related issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully reset the password and continue using your virtual machine.

Throughout this guide, we’ve covered the necessary steps to reset the password, including accessing the VirtualBox settings, choosing the virtual machine, starting the virtual machine, accessing the GRUB boot menu, editing the boot parameters, resetting the password, and restarting the virtual machine.

It’s important to remember that resetting the password may result in the loss of any stored data associated with your user account, so it’s crucial to have proper backups in place. Additionally, make sure to choose a strong and unique password to enhance the security of your virtual machine and protect your data.

VirtualBox, with its versatility and user-friendly interface, provides a reliable virtualization platform for running multiple operating systems on a single machine. Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, offers stability, security, and a wide range of features, making it a popular choice among users.

By successfully resetting the password for your virtual machine, you can continue to explore and utilize the features and functionalities of Ubuntu within your VirtualBox environment.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you, equipping you with the knowledge to overcome password issues and regain access to your virtual machine. Enjoy your virtualization journey and make the most of your Ubuntu experience!