Reset a forgotten Windows Server Administrator password by booting the Password Reset Helper ISO over VNC and clearing the password with chntpw.
This guide describes a common method to regain access to a Windows Server OS when you forget or lose the password for an administrator account. This procedure changes a local Windows account without reinstalling the operating system.
Offline password resets can make EFS-encrypted files inaccessible. This method does not unlock BitLocker or reset an Active Directory domain account. If encryption is enabled, confirm your recovery keys and recovery method before proceeding. See the password-reset tool’s FAQ.
In the drop-down list, select the image: 1_Password-Reset-Helper.iso
Check the box force reset & boot from the selected ISO, then click the Mount ISO buttonThe screenshot shows the image selection before enabling force reset.
After rebooting, use the VNC console to sign in to the local Administrator account whose password you cleared. Depending on the Windows configuration, you may need to select the account at the sign-in screen. Set a strong password immediately before trying RDP. Open Command Prompt (CMD) with administrative rights:In the elevated Command Prompt, replace newpassword with your own strong password before running the command:
net user Administrator newpassword
Administrator is the account being updated. newpassword is only a placeholder. Do not use it as your actual password. The screenshot shows the command before execution.
To avoid putting the new password on the command line, run net user Administrator * instead and enter it at the hidden prompts. Microsoft documents this option in the net user reference.
You’ve successfully updated your Windows Administrator password. Now log in to the server with your new credentials. This confirms that the password change took effect and that you have regained access to your server. Happy computing! :)
