How to Reset the Root Password for Mysql in Windows

[Shane Melson]

The following procedure is to Reset the Root Password in a Windows systems.

1. Log on to your system as Administrator.

2. Stop the MySQL server if it is running. For a server that is running as a Windows service, go to the Services manager:

Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

Then find the MySQL service in the list, and stop it.

If your server is not running as a service, you may need to use the Task Manager to force it to stop.
3. Create a text file and place the following command within it on a single line:

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

Save the file with any name. For this example the file will be C:\mysql-init.txt.

4. Open a console window to get to the DOS command prompt:

Start Menu -> Run -> cmd

5. We are assuming that you installed MySQL to C:\mysql. If you installed MySQL to another location, adjust the following commands accordingly.

At the DOS command prompt, execute this command:

C:\> C:\mysql\bin\mysqld-nt --init-file=C:\mysql-init.txt

The contents of the file named by the --init-file option are executed at server startup, changing the root password. After the server has started successfully, you should delete C:\mysql-init.txt.

If you install MySQL using the MySQL Installation Wizard, you may need to specify a --defaults-file option:

C:\> "C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\bin\mysqld-nt.exe"
--defaults-file="C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\my.ini"
--init-file=C:\mysql-init.txt

The appropriate --defaults-file setting can be found using the Services Manager:

Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

Find the MySQL service in the list, right-click on it, and choose the Properties option. The Path to executable field contains the --defaults-file setting.

6. Stop the MySQL server, then restart it in normal mode again. If you run the server as a service, start it from the Windows Services window. If you start the server manually, use whatever command you normally use.

7. You should be able to connect using the new password.