In this article, we are going to discuss how to Set/Change GRUB Boot loader password in Linux. GRUB stands for [ Grand Unified Boot Loader ] is a boot loader package from the GNU Project. GRUB is the reference implementation of the Free Software Foundation’s Multiboot Specification, which provides a user the choice to boot one of multiple operating systems installed on a computer or select a specific kernel configuration available on a particular operating system’s partitions.GRUB is a very important part of the Linux operating system from where we can perform so many administrative tasks and booting configurations, It is highly recommended that it should be protected by a password.
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/How-to-Set-Change-Grub-Boot-Loader-Password-in-Redhat-Centos-Fedora.jpg)
Follow the below Steps to Change GRUB Boot Loader Password :
Step: 1 Generate GRUB Password
Reset the GRUB password by the below command.
$ grub-md5-crypt # To Generate MD5 hash password
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Generate-GRUB-Password.png)
After the above command, it will ask to enter the password which will later on used as a password to unlock the GRUB.
So Enter the Password twice to protect the GRUB.
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GRUB-Password-Generated.png)
As we can see that after set the password it has given an MD5 hash password which we need to paste into the main configuration file of GRUB.
“/boot/grub/grub.conf” is the main configuration file of GRUB OR we can access the same file in a different path i.e. “/boot/grub/menu.lst” which is the Symlink or Symbolic Link or Shortcut of the main file i.e. “/boot/grub/grub.conf“.
Step: 2 Generate GRUB Password
Note: it’s highly recommended to do a backup of grub.conf file by using the below command.
$ cd /boot/grub/ $ cp grub.conf grub.conf.backup
Now edit the “grub.conf” file with “vi” command.
$ vi /boot/grub/grub.conf # Edit the GRUB configuration file
Paste the MD5 hash password on “grub.conf” file, For Example:-
password –md5 <MD5 hash Password created created above>
In our case it’s like below shown:-
Note:- (Paste the below line in “grub.conf” file below the hiddenmenu line as shown in Snapshot below)
password –md5 $1$.zE70/$pk4kZhx6Zu9IHz6.4m7Kf0
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Configure-GRUB-Configuration-file.png)
Now we successfully set the GRUB password, Now its time for Testing.
Also Read – How to Reset Forgotten Root Password in Rhel/Centos 7
Step: 3 Edit the GRUB
Reboot the system and press any key before 5 Seconds to interrupt the normal boot process to edit the GRUB entry.
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Press-p-to-Enter-Password-to-Edit-GRUB.png)
As we can see above System is asking to enter “p” to edit the GRUB to unlock the next set of features.
After entering “p” It will ask for a password which we reset now as shown below.
![How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora](http://itsmarttricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Unlocking-GRUB-by-Entering-Password.png)
Also Read – How To Protect Grub2 Bootloader With Password In Rhel/Centos
That’s all, In this article, we have explained How to Set/Change Grub Boot Loader Password in Redhat/Centos/Fedora. I hope you enjoy this article. If you like this article, then just share it. If you have any questions about this article, please comment.