Re: 'root' is denied access to all databases/connections

[Barry Galbraith]

Quote

mysqld --init-file="path/to/file.txt" --console

The refman says you should also provide the --defaults-file option.

C:\> mysqld
         --defaults-file="C:\\ProgramData\\MySQL\\MySQL Server 8.0\\my.ini"
         --init-file=C:\\mysql-init.txt

Quote

ALTER USER ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY '[my password]'

The refman shows

ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'MyNewPass';

replacing MyNewPass with your new password.
You have ALTER USER ALTER USER which will give an error, and not change your password.

You need to follow the refman more closely.
https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.0/en/resetting-permissions.html

Good luck,
Barry.