> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rafftechnologies.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Reset password > Reset or recover the root or Administrator password on a virtual machine Updated May 8, 2026 The dashboard never shows the VM's root or Administrator password directly — it always emails it to your account address. You have two operations and three places to trigger them. ## Two operations | Operation | What it does | When to use | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | | **Send to Email** | Sends the **current** password to your account email | You forgot the password but it hasn't been changed | | **Reset Password** | Generates a **new** password, replaces the old, and emails the new one | The password is leaked, lost, or you want to rotate | Both deliver to the email on your Raff account; the password is never displayed inline. ## Three places to find them All three live on the VM detail page. ### a. Credentials panel (side) — Send to Email The **VM Information → Credentials** card on the left has a **Send to Email** button next to **Password**. Sends the current password — quickest path if you just need the existing password. ### b. Top action bar — Password The **Password** quick button at the top of the detail page opens the reset flow directly. ### c. Actions tab — Access & Security → Reset Password The **Actions** tab has an **Access & Security** section with a **Reset Password** card. VM detail page on the Actions tab showing Access & Security with Open Terminal and Reset Password cards ## What happens during a reset 1. You confirm the reset. 2. The platform generates a new password and writes it to the VM's cloud-init context. 3. **If the VM is running** (`active`) — the platform issues a **hard reboot** so the new password takes effect immediately. Expect 30-60 seconds of downtime; in-flight writes can be lost (it's not a graceful shutdown). 4. **If the VM is stopped** (`passive` or otherwise) — no reboot. The new password applies on the next start. 5. The new password is emailed to your account address. Hard reboot of a running VM can lose in-flight writes. If the reset isn't urgent, stop the VM first, then reset — the password applies cleanly on next start with no forced reboot. Open SSH or RDP sessions are terminated when the VM reboots. Update any automation, saved sessions, or scripts that use the old password. ## Linux and Windows * **Linux** — resets the `root` password. SSH-key auth is unaffected; if you authenticate by key, you can keep using the key. * **Windows** — resets the `Administrator` password. RDP sessions disconnect and reconnect with the new one. ## Troubleshooting * **Email not received** — check spam, then confirm the account email under **Settings → Profile**. Click **Send to Email** again to resend. * **VM stuck after reset** — the reset includes a reboot; if status doesn't return to `active` within a few minutes, check the [Power tab](/products/build/virtual-machines/quickstart-guides/manage-power) and see [Troubleshooting](/products/build/virtual-machines/troubleshooting). * **Lost both password and SSH key** — only Reset Password gets you back in. Use the [VNC console](/products/build/virtual-machines/quickstart-guides/connect-via-ssh#3-vnc-console-graphical-fallback) once the new password lands. ## Next steps Reconnect with the new password. Reconnect to a Windows VM.