User Management
passwd
Change user password or manage password aging policies.
Synopsis
syntax
passwd [OPTION]... [USER]
Examples
Change your own password
passwd
Change another user's password
sudo passwd alice
Lock user account
sudo passwd -l alice
Force password change on next login
sudo passwd -e alice
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -l | Lock the password (disable account) |
| -u | Unlock the password |
| -d | Delete password (make passwordless) |
| -e | Force password change at next login |
| -S | Show password status |
About passwd
The `passwd` command change user password or manage password aging policies. User management commands handle creation, modification, and deletion of user accounts and groups.
Multi-user access control is a core feature of Linux. These commands are essential for system administrators managing servers, enforcing security policies, and provisioning access for teams.
The command accepts 5 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man passwd`). The 4 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More User Management Commands
Other commands in the User Management category