How to change mysql password

Assuming you have a working mysql installation and know the current password...
The instructions here are for a Linux/Unix mysql installation, however should also work for MS Windows using mysql.exe.

Open a terminal and type the following to change the admin password

mysqladmin –u root –p'oldpassword' password 'newpassword'

Now login to mysql to change the root password

mysql –u root –p'newpassword'

At the mysql prompt type the following to change the password for the root user

UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD('newpassword') WHERE User='root';

And repeat the following for any user where appropriate

UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD('userpassword') WHERE User='username';

Type quit when done.