How to reset the lost or forgotten root password in vCenter Server Appliance 6.5
- Take a snapshot or backup of the vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 before proceeding. Do not skip this step.
- Reboot the vCenter Server Appliance 6.5.
- Iimmediately after the OS starts choose the option e key to enter the GNU GRUB Edit Menu.
- Locate the line that begins with the word linux
- Append these entries to the end of the line:
rw init=/bin/bash
The line should look like the following screenshot
- Press F10 to continue booting
- In the Command prompt, enter the command passwd and provide a new root password (twice for confirmation):
passwd - Unmount the filesystem by running this command:
umount/ - Reboot the vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 by running this command:
reboot -f - Confirm that you can access the vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 using the new root password.
- Remove the snapshot taken in Step 1 if applicable.