DbSchema | MySQL - What is the Default Username and Password?

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MySql • 21-Apr-2020

by DbSchema Team

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The default user for MySQL is __root` and by default it has no password.

If you set a password for MySQL and you can’t recall it, you can always reset it and choose another one.

Windows

1. Make sure that MySQL Server is not running. Open Task Manager, search for the MySQL process and force stop it.

2. Create a new text file that will contain the statement below:

    SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('new_password');

   Replace the password with the new one

3. Save the file with the __mysql-init name in __C:. The path should look like this:

    C:\mysql-init.txt

4. Open the Start menu, enter Run then write cmd to open the command prompt

5. Go to the MySQL server __bin` folder

    cd "C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.6\bin"

   If you installed MySQL with a different path, adjust the __cd`

6. Run it with the __mysql-init` file

    mysqld --init-file=C:\\mysql-init.txt

   If MySQL was installed using the Wizard, add the defaults file command:

    mysqld
          --defaults-file="C:\\ProgramData\\MySQL\\MySQL Server 5.6\\my.ini"
          --init-file=C:\\mysql-init.txt

7. After MySQL server started, delete the __mysql-init` file.

General

Alternatively, you can use a more general method that works on every system, but it’s less safe.

1. Stop MySQL

2. Restart it with the __–skip-grant-tables` option

    sudo /usr/sbin/mysqld --skip-grant-tables --skip-networking &

3. Connect to MySQL server using the mysql client

    mysql -u root

4. Reload all grant tables by executing:

    FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

5. Set the new password for your account:

    SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('new_password');

6. Stop the server and restart it normally. Now you should be able to connect using the __root` username and your new password.