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Abhishek Govind
Abhishek Govind

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🔐 How to Reset Your Forgotten PostgreSQL Password (Windows Guide)

#postgres #database #databaseadministration #opensource

🔐 How to Reset Your Forgotten PostgreSQL Password (Windows Guide)

Losing access to your PostgreSQL superuser account can be frustrating—but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this simple and secure step-by-step guide. Whether you're a beginner or someone who just needs a quick refresher, follow these steps to reset the PostgreSQL password without compromising your system.

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🧭 Step 1: Locate PostgreSQL Configuration Files

  1. Navigate to: 
   C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\17\data
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  1. Look for the file named: 
   pg_hba.conf
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  1. Important: Before editing, create a backup:
    • Create a new folder (e.g., Backup-Config)
    • Copy pg_hba.conf into this folder for safety.

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📝 Step 2: Modify Authentication Method

  1. Open the original pg_hba.conf file using a text editor (e.g., Notepad).
  2. Scroll to the bottom until you find a table with lines like: 
   127.0.0.1/32   ...   md5
   ::1/128        ...   md5
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  1. Change the method column from md5 (or scram-sha-256) to trust for both IPv4 and IPv6 lines: 
   127.0.0.1/32   ...   trust
   ::1/128        ...   trust
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  1. Save the file.

🔒 Note: This change disables password checking temporarily, so use it only as a temporary fix.

🔁 Step 3: Restart PostgreSQL Services

  1. Press Win + R and type: 
   services.msc
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  1. In the Services window, find: 
   postgresql-x64-17 (or similar)
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  1. Right-click and select Restart.

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💻 Step 4: Log in Without Password

  1. Open psql or SQL Shell.
  2. Press Enter for all prompts (host, port, username, database, etc.).
  3. You will now be logged in without needing a password.

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🔑 Step 5: Set a New Password

Once inside the psql terminal, run:

ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'your_new_password';
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✅ You should see:

ALTER ROLE
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Then exit the shell:

\q
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🛡 Step 6: Restore Secure Configuration

  1. Go back to your backup folder and copy the original pg_hba.conf file.
  2. Replace the modified file in: 
   C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\17\data
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🔁 Step 7: Restart PostgreSQL Again

To re-enable secure authentication:

  1. Go back to services.msc
  2. Restart the PostgreSQL service one more time.

🎉 You're Done!

You’ve successfully reset your PostgreSQL password securely and restored your database to a safe configuration. Remember to store your credentials in a secure password manager to avoid repeating this process.

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🧠 Why This Method Works

By setting the authentication method to trust, PostgreSQL allows local connections without requiring a password. This gives you access to reset the superuser password. But once done, always revert to md5 or scram-sha-256 to maintain database security.

🧾 Final Tips

  • 💾 Always back up config files before making changes.
  • 🔁 Never leave PostgreSQL in trust mode longer than necessary.
  • 🔐 Use strong, unique passwords for database accounts.

💬 Got stuck somewhere? Drop a comment or connect with me—I’d love to help!

If you found this helpful, consider sharing it to help others too. ❤️

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