If you need to change your user account in a WSL Linux distro, it can be a bit tricky when you are not familiar with Linux console tools. We will see how to change the password without resetting the distro.

The ability to run Linux natively in Windows 10 is provided by the WSL feature. WSL stands for Windows Subsystem for Linux, which initially, was limited to Ubuntu only. Modern versions of WSL allow installing and running multiple Linux distros from Microsoft Store.

After enabling WSL, you can install various Linux versions from the Store. You can use the following links:

1. Ubuntu
2. openSUSE Leap
3. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
4. Kali Linux for WSL
5. Debian GNU/Linux

and more.

When you start a WSL distro for the first time, it opens a console window with a progress bar. After a moment of waiting, you will be prompted to type a new user account name, and its password. This account will be your default WSL user account that will be used to sign-in automatically every time you run the current distro. Also, it will be included in the 'sudo' group in order to allow it to run commands elevated (as root).

Each Linux distribution running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux has its own Linux user accounts and passwords. You will have to configure a Linux user account any time you add a distribution, reinstall, or reset. Linux user accounts are not only independent per distribution, they are also independent from your Windows user account.

If you have access to your Linux user account and know your current password, change it using Linux password reset tools of that distribution -- most likely passwd.

To Change User Password in WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10,

1. Run the WSL distro for which you want to change the user password.
2. Type passwd into the Linux prompt, and press Enter to change the password for the currently logged in user. Your current user name is visible in the beginning of the command line prompt. Also, it can be see with the command whoami.
3. Type your current password.
4. Type a new password.
5. Re-type it to confirm the password change.
6. To change the password for another user account, issue the command passwd <username>. Substitute the <username> portion with the actual user account name you want to change the password for.
7. Repeat the steps 3-5 for that user account.

You are done.

Articles of interest:

• Reset and Unregister WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• Reset Password for WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• All Ways to Run WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• Set Default WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• Find Running WSL Linux Distros in Windows 10
• Terminate Running WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• Remove Linux from Navigation Pane in Windows 10
• Export and Import WSL Linux Distro in Windows 10
• Access WSL Linux Files from Windows 10
• Enable WSL in Windows 10
• Set Default User for WSL in Windows 10
• Windows 10 Build 18836 Shows WSL/Linux File System in File Explorer

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