PowerFlex How to Change the VMware ESXi Host and Vcenter root and admin password

Summary: For security reasons it might be necessary to change the password for the root user on a VMware ESXi host after installation.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

Changing a VMware ESXi host root password

For security reasons, it might be necessary to change the password for the root user on a VMware ESXi host after installation. Use any of the following methods to change the root password for the VMware ESXi host:

    • VMware vSphere Client
    • VMware ESXi shell command
    • VMware ESXi host System Customization menu

 

Change the password using VMware vSphere Client

Steps

  1. Log in to the host UI https://esxi_IP_address using root credentials.
  2. In the left pane, under Host, click Manage.
  3. Select the Security & Users tab, click Users and click the root user.
  4. Click Edit User.
  5. In the Edit User dialog box, enter and confirm a new password.
  6. Click Save.

Change the password using the VMware ESXi shell command

Prerequisites

Log in to the VMware ESXi host service console as root user.

Steps

  1. When prompted, enter the current password.
  2. To change the root password, enter: passwd root.
  3. Enter the new root password and press Enter.
  4. Verify the password by entering it again. 

 

Change the password using the VMware ESXi host system customization menu

Prerequisites

Log in to the VMware ESXi host service console as root user. You can also acquire root privileges by executing the su command.

 

Steps

  1. From the System Customization menu of the VMware ESXi host, use the keyboard arrows to select Configure Password and press Enter.
  1. In the Configure Password dialog box, fill in the required fields to change the password:
    1. Enter the Old Password of the VMware ESXi host.
    2. Enter the new root password in the New Password field. Re-type it in the Confirm Password field.
    3. Press Enter.

 

Modify the VMware vCenter Server single sign-on default administrator password

Use this procedure to change the default password for the VMware vCenter single sign-on administrator account.

Prerequisites

Log in to the VMware vSphere Client and connect to vCenter.

Steps

  1. In the left pane, select Administration.
  2. Under Single Sign On, select Users and Groups. The admin user displays in the right pane.
  3. On the Users tab, select the domain from the drop-down menu, and select the administrator user. Click Edit.
  4. Set and confirm the password for the admin user account. Be sure to use a strong password as the system validates the password before accepting it.
  5. Click Save.

 

Change the administrator password for VMware vCenter Server Appliance

Use this procedure to change the VMware vCenter Server Appliance administrator password.

Steps

    1. Log in to the VMware vCenter Server Appliance Web console.
    2. On the Admin tab, enter your current password in the Current administrator password box.
    3. Enter the new password in the New administrator password and Retype new administrator password boxes.
    4. Click Change password.

Additional Information

Affected Products

PowerFlex rack, ScaleIO
Article Properties
Article Number: 000324321
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 26 May 2025
Version:  1
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.