Quickest way to reset mysql root password

If you forgot root password for MySQL, this is the quickest way to reset it. You need to have root access to the box.
service mysqld stop

wait until MySQL shuts down. Then run
mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &

**In Windows, cd to mysql path, e.g. C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.1\bin, then
mysqld.exe -u root --skip-grant-tables


then you will be able to login as root with no password.
mysql -u root

In MySQL command line prompt issue the following command:
mysql> use mysql;
mysql> UPDATE user SET password=PASSWORD('the_new_password') WHERE user='root';
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

At this time your root password is reset and MySQL will now know the privileges and you'll be able to login with your new password:
mysql -u root -p


Back to production mode
killall mysqld
service mysqld start