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Forgetting your VM password or losing your SSH key can be stressful, but Azure provides multiple ways to recover access. Below are three methods to reset your credentials.
1. Using Azure Portal (Help Section)
Navigate to your VM in the Azure Portal:
- Go to Help > Reset password (for Windows) or Reset SSH (for Linux).
- Follow the prompts to set a new password or SSH key.
2. Using Run Command (PowerShell/Bash)
For Windows:
net user <username> <newpassword>
For Linux:
sudo passwd <username>
3. Using Serial Console (Advanced Troubleshooting)
If you still have partial access, use the Serial Console under Support + troubleshooting in the Azure Portal.
You Should Know:
Windows VM Password Reset (PowerShell)
Check user accounts net user Reset password net user admin NewP@ssw0rd! Force password change on next login net user admin /logonpasswordchg:yes
Linux VM SSH Key Reset (Bash)
Reset SSH key for a user sudo su - mkdir -p /home/<user>/.ssh echo "ssh-rsa <your_public_key>" > /home/<user>/.ssh/authorized_keys chmod 700 /home/<user>/.ssh chmod 600 /home/<user>/.ssh/authorized_keys chown -R <user>:<user> /home/<user>/.ssh
Emergency Access via Azure CLI
az vm user update \ --resource-group <RG-Name> \ --name <VM-Name> \ --username <admin-user> \ --password <NewP@ssw0rd!>
What Undercode Say
Losing access to a VM is common, but Azure’s built-in recovery options make it manageable. Always:
– Document credentials securely.
– Use SSH keys instead of passwords where possible.
– Enable Azure Backup for critical VMs.
For Linux admins, mastering chmod, chown, and `sudo` is crucial. Windows admins should know `net user` and PowerShell Remoting.
Expected Output:
- Azure Portal Reset: Quick GUI-based solution.
- Run Command: Script-based automation.
- Serial Console: Last-resort direct access.
Relevant Links:
References:
Reported By: Wanderson Silva – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
