How to Use Options in Passwd Command
OPTIONS
   -d, --delete        delete the password for the named account (root only)

   -f, --force         force operation (effectively calls `chfn'?)

   -k, --keep-tokens   keep non-expired authentication tokens

   -l, --lock          lock the named account (root only)

   -S, --status        report password status on the named account (root only)

   --stdin             read new tokens from stdin (root only)

   -u, --unlock        unlock the named account (root only)

How to use these commands? when type these command there is no response its just displaying the same thing again.

For example when I type

passwd -d Madhu G

there is no response or error.

2

2 Answers

All linux command has the same structural syntax writing

command [-options] [attr]

and passwd is not else

passwd [options] [LOGIN]

So for example I'm gonna list some uses of options

Delete(make it empty) an account password using the -d option

$ sudo passwd -d guest

passwd: password expiry information changed.

Now for your case above first you dont' use sudo and also be sure of using correct user name Madhu G? Since I dont think that you can have a username with space between

Another Example expire the account password using -e option

$ sudo passwd -e guest

passwd: password expiry information changed.
2

Your command is wrong.

passwd -d Madhu G

passwd accepts this:

passwd [options] [LOGIN]

Your command deviates from this requirement and, therefore, a list of possible parameters will be displayed:

$ passwd -d Madhu G  
Usage: passwd [options] [LOGIN]

Options:
  -a, --all                     report password status on all accounts
  -d, --delete                  delete the password for the named account
  -e, --expire                  force expire the password for the named account
  -h, --help                    display this help message and exit
  -k, --keep-tokens             change password only if expired
  -i, --inactive INACTIVE       set password inactive after expiration
                                to INACTIVE
  -l, --lock                    lock the password of the named account
  -n, --mindays MIN_DAYS        set minimum number of days before password
                                change to MIN_DAYS
  -q, --quiet                   quiet mode
  -r, --repository REPOSITORY   change password in REPOSITORY repository
  -R, --root CHROOT_DIR         directory to chroot into
  -S, --status                  report password status on the named account
  -u, --unlock                  unlock the password of the named account
  -w, --warndays WARN_DAYS      set expiration warning days to WARN_DAYS
  -x, --maxdays MAX_DAYS        set maximum number of days before password
                                change to MAX_DAYS

Correct syntax, but still wrong because with space and not lowercase:

sudo passwd -d "Madhu G"

For your account (bad idea)

sudo passwd -d "$USER"

or for another login name (without spaces and with lowercase):

sudo passwd -d <username>

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

David Miller

David Miller

Executive Financial & Market Analyst

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.

Share this article
Twitter Facebook Pinterest