Changing the default user password
When your dedicated server is provisioned, it is assigned a default password for the main system account (root on Linux, Administrator on Windows). This password is shown in your Client Area on the Order Details page, in the Password field. For security, change this default password after your first login.
To view the default password, go to Orders, open your server, and open Order Details. The Password field has show and copy buttons.
Changing the password on a Linux server
To change the password of the account you are logged in with, connect to the server over SSH and run:
passwd
Enter the current password, then the new password twice. A confirmation message appears once the password is updated.
To change the password of another user, run the command with sudo, which requires root privileges:
sudo passwd username
Replace username with the target account, then enter the new password twice to confirm.
If you lose the root password and do not have sudo access, the password cannot be recovered through the operating system. Access can be restored only through the server console (KVM/IPMI). INTROSERV clients can request KVM access through the Client Area or by contacting support.
Changing the password on a Windows server
Use this method to change the password of the account you are currently logged in with.
- Connect to the server over RDP.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+End to open the Windows Security screen.
- Select Change a password.
- Enter the current password, then enter the new password twice.
- Press Enter to confirm.
The password is updated immediately.
On a physical machine rather than an RDP session, use Ctrl+Alt+Del instead of Ctrl+Alt+End.
To reset the password of another local account, right-click Start, open Computer Management, expand Local Users and Groups, and click Users. Right-click the account, select Set Password, confirm the warning, and enter the new password twice.
Resetting another account's password this way can make encrypted files, stored credentials, and certificates tied to the old password inaccessible. Use it only when the user cannot change their own password.
Keep the Client Area in mind
Changing the password on the server does not update the password shown on the Order Details page in your Client Area. The Client Area keeps displaying the original default password. After changing the password on the server, save the new one in your own password manager.
