This week, I wanted to check a Docker command within Docker itself. I have been working with the dockerd engine on my Windows WSL 2 installation. Although I had been working through the terminal in VS Code, I wanted to try using the Ubuntu shell.
I found I had 2 versions of Ubuntu installed, each with its own password, and later realized I needed to log into the WSL shell. I researched and located a helpful solution on Stack Exchange that I summarized for use again in the future.
Password Change Process
-
Using the Ubuntu shell, note the following:
- The version of Ubuntu you are using (I had a previous install as well as Ubuntu 18.04 in WSL)
- Your username
- Close the Ubuntu shell
-
Open PowerShell as Admin and reset the Ubuntu config to log in as
root-
Ubuntu:
ubuntu config --default-user root -
Ubuntu 18.04:
ubuntu1804 config --default-user root
-
- Re-open the Ubuntu shell - you will be logged in as
root - Execute the
passwdcommand and follow the prompts; ensure you secure your new password in a password safe! Do not include angle brackets.
passwd <username>- Close the Ubuntu shell
-
Open PowerShell as Admin and reset the Ubuntu config to log in as your username. Do not include angle brackets.
-
Ubuntu:
ubuntu config --default-user <username> -
Ubuntu 18.04:
ubuntu1804 config --default-user <username>
-
- Log into Ubuntu and confirm the new password
I followed these steps for both versions of Ubuntu, and I was able to reset both passwords. Once I opened the WSL shell, I was able to use my Ubuntu 18.04 credentials to start dockerd and check the commands I needed.