Reset Windows 2012 R2 Server Password.

This guide will also work for other versions of Windows servers, Windows 2008, Windows 2016 and Windows 7 etc. 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

  1. Mount the Windows 2012 R2 ISO to CD-ROM from the CrownPanel.

  2. Reboot the VPS (Shutdown + Boot) and boot from the CD ROM.

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

    Select Language

    Select repair your computer

  4. Advanced options -> Command Prompt.

    Select Advance options

    Select Command Prompt

Step 2: Loading the Virtio Drivers

  1. Unmount the Windows 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\2K12R2\amd64\viostor.inf

    Loading Drivers

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

  5. Then mount back the Windows 2012 R2 ISO from the Panel to continue with the remaining steps.

Step 3: Resetting Password

  1. To findout the drive where your windows was installed, run DISKPART cmd.

  2. Then list all the drives available, LIST VOLUME

    List Volumes

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

    E:
    cd Windows\System32
    ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.old
    copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

    modify files

  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 PassWord123$

    Reset Pass

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

Step 4: Cleaning up

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

  2. Run the following cmds,

    E:
    cd Windows\System32
    ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.new
    copy Utilman.exe.old Utilman.exe

    Cleanup

  3. Close the Command Prompt and then click Continue.

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