Resetting administrator password for Windows Cloud Servers by mounting Windows ISO

An administrator account is a user account that allows you to make any changes that will affect other users. Administrators can change security settings, install software and hardware, and access all files on the computer. Administrators can also make changes to other user accounts such as creating other local user accounts other than administrator and providing administrative privileges to the local user.

This guide outlines the steps to reset administrator password in Windows OS.

1. Mount Windows ISO and reboot your Cloud Servers from LayerPanel.

   

2. Access Console from same LayerPanel, and then click Next on this step.

   

3. Choose Repair your computer option.

   

4. Select Troubleshoot option.

   

5. Select Command Prompt in advanced options.

   

6. Execute the following commands to rename utilman binary to cmd binary in order to access command prompt on server booting screen.

   Change to OS directory:

   # d:
   

   Check the directory is correct:

   # dir
   

   Change the path to windows/system32:

   # cd windows/system32
   

   Backup the utilman binary file:

   # ren utilman.exe utilman.bak
   

   Copy cmd binary file as utilman binary file:

   # copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
   

   

7. Detach ISO and boot the server.

   

8. Access command prompt by using easy access tab.

   

9. Execute the following command to reset the administrator password.

   # net user Administrator “Newpassword”
   

   

   NOTE: Replace “Newpassword” with your preferred password.

10. Now you can access the server by using the new administrator password.

11. Lastly remount ISO and revert back the changes made for utilman.exe. Please follow step 2 - 5 specified above on this article and execute the following commands.

    Change to OS directory:

    # d:
    

    Check the directory is correct:

    # dir
    

    Change the path to windows/system32:

    # cd windows/system32
    

    Remove the utilman binary file:

    # del utilman.exe
    

    Rename the backup file:

    # ren utilman.bak utilman.exe
    

    

12. Detach ISO from LayerPanel and you can access the server using the new password.

    

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