Windows – What Is the Default Password for Postgres

When installing PostgreSQL on Windows, there is no predefined default password for the postgres user (the superuser). Instead, during the installation process, you are required to set a password for the postgres user. Here’s what to know:

Default Password for Postgres

• No default password exists. You must specify a password for the postgres user during the PostgreSQL installation process.
• If you cannot recall the password or it was not explicitly set, you will need to reset it (explained below).

What If You Forgot the Password?

If you’ve forgotten the postgres user password, you can reset it by following these steps:

1. Edit the PostgreSQL pg_hba.conf File

1. Navigate to the PostgreSQL data directory. The default path is:

   C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\<version>\data
   

2. Open the pg_hba.conf file in a text editor (e.g., Notepad or Notepad++).
3. Locate the authentication method for the postgres user. It will look like:

   host    all             all             127.0.0.1/32            md5
   

4. Change md5 to trust:

   host    all             all             127.0.0.1/32            trust
   

   This allows you to connect without a password temporarily.

5. Save the file and restart the PostgreSQL service:
   • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   • Find PostgreSQL in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.

2. Reset the Postgres Password

1. Open the Command Prompt or SQL Shell (psql).
2. Connect to the database as the postgres user:

   psql -U postgres
   

3. Run the following command to reset the password:

   ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'newpassword';
   

   Replace 'newpassword' with your desired password.

4. Exit the prompt by typing:

   \q
   

3. Revert the pg_hba.conf File

1. Change the authentication method in pg_hba.conf back to md5 (or scram-sha-256 if you prefer stronger authentication):

   host    all             all             127.0.0.1/32            md5
   

2. Save the file and restart the PostgreSQL service again.

Tips to Avoid Losing Passwords

1. Save the password securely (e.g., in a password manager) during installation.
2. Use environment variables or configuration files for applications to avoid hardcoding the postgres credentials.