Reset Windows 2022 Server Password

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This guide will also work for other versions of Windows servers, Windows 2022 May require small changes depending upon the version installed.

Assuming that you have access to VNC and the CrownPanel, Instructions are simplified with each steps.

Step 1: Getting to Command Prompt

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1. Mount the Windows server 2022 ISO to CD-ROM from the CrownPanel.

2. Reboot the VPS and boot from the CD ROM.

3. Select the preferred language and click on Repair your Computer.

   

   

4. Click on Troubleshoot option and then click on Command Prompt.

   This will load the Windows command prompt.

   

   

Step 2: Load the VirtIO Drivers

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VirtIO drivers are needed for the Windows to detect the disk present on the server.

1. Unmount the Windows 2022 ISO and mount the VirtIO Driver in CD-ROM from the Panel.

2. To confirm Drivers are mounted and ready, run the dir cmd to list the contents of D drive.

3. Loading the required drivers,

   drvload D:\viostor\2k19\amd64\viostor.inf
   

   

4. Once loaded, unmount the VirtIO Driver from the Panel.

5. Then mount back the Windows server 2022 ISO from the Panel to continue with the remaining steps.

Step 3: Resetting Password

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1. To find out the drivers were installed and the Windows system disk is available, run DISKPART command,

2. Then list all the Drives/Partitions available using the LIST VOLUME

   

   With the above image, we can confirm that the Windows partition is on Drive E

3. Run the following cmds, in this case windows is installed in E drive

   E:
   bcdedit / set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes 
   bcdedit / set {bootmgr} timeout 15 
   cd Windows\System32
   ren utilman.exe utilman.bak
   copy cmd.exe utilman.exe

   

4. Close the Command Prompt and then click Continue.

5. The Server will boot and displays Login Screen, Click on the below "Ease of access" button to open the Command Prompt.

6. Run the following cmd to reset pass for administrator.

   net user administrator / active: yes 
   
   net user administrator "password" 

   

You should now be able to login to your Windows as Administrator with new Password.

Step 4: Cleaning up

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1. Follow the instructions from Step 1 and Step 2.

2. Run the following cmds,

   E:
   cd Windows\System32
   copy utilman.bak utilman.exe

   

3. Close the Command Prompt and then click Continue.

This step will remove the option to open command prompt in login screen.