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Last active November 10, 2022 00:45
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Reset Windows 2012R2 local administrator password.

Reset Windows 2012R2 local administrator password

  • Boot from Microsoft Windows Server 2012R2 DVD/ISO.
  • From the Windows Setup menu, click "Next".
  • Select "Repair your computer".
  • Click on "Troubleshoot".
  • Under Advanced options, click "Command Prompt".

At the command prompt, run the following commands:

c:
cd Windows\System32
ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.old
copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe
  • Close the command prompt, remove DVD/ISO and then reboot the system.
  • The server should now boot and present the logon screen.
  • Press Windows Key + U.

At the prompt you can change the password, by typing the following command:

net user administrator Password123

This will set the password for the Administrator user to be Password123 (case sensitive).

Now repeat the DVD/ISO boot steps and open command prompt above and run the following:

c:
cd Windows\System32
del Utilman.exe
ren Utilman.exe.old Utilman.exe

Done!

@Evadelparaiso
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Do you need change maybe D or E or any other letter, write dir and check where you Windows are.

@Arsalan09
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When i follow this procedure, system doesn't open command prompt, it shows first put admin password..

@jgantz022
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hi i find out that my windows drive is in X: i use
x: cd windos\system32
x:\windows\system32> ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.back

then i get this

the system cannot find the file specification

what should i do?

thanks for the help

@packeteer
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any tips for using this method via RDP?

@abanobblackbox
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here is a topic tutorial with photos to reset windows server 2012 administrator password

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