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EN-ALL update Changing the admin password on a Windows server for Cloud - VPS
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‎pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/resetting_a_windows_password/guide.en-asia.md

+113-22
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -1,56 +1,147 @@
11
---
2-
title: Resetting a Windows password
3-
excerpt: Find out how to reset your Windows account password
4-
updated: 2020-11-25
2+
title: Changing the admin password on a Windows server
3+
excerpt: Find out how to reset your Windows Administrator account password on a VPS or a Public Cloud instance using the OVHcloud rescue mode
4+
updated: 2023-10-29
55
---
66

77
## Objective
88

9-
In some cases you might need to reset a Windows password. This guide will show you how to reset the password of your Windows user account and successfully log in to your VPS again.
9+
When you install or reinstall a Windows Server operating system, you are provided with a password for administrative access (*Administrator* account).
10+
11+
If you have lost your Administrator password, you can reset it via the OVHcloud rescue mode.
12+
13+
**This guide explains how to reset the password of the admin account of a Windows Server OS in the OVHcloud rescue mode.**
1014

1115
## Requirements
1216

13-
- The VPS must be in rescue mode (see [Activating rescue mode on a VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)).
17+
- A [VPS](https://www.ovhcloud.com/asia/vps/) or a [Public Cloud instance](https://www.ovhcloud.com/asia/public-cloud/) in your OVHcloud account
18+
- Access to the [OVHcloud Control Panel](https://ca.ovh.com/auth/?action=gotomanager&from=https://www.ovh.com/asia/&ovhSubsidiary=asia)
1419

1520
## Instructions
1621

17-
Connect to the VPS via VNC in the [OVHcloud Control Panel](https://ca.ovh.com/auth/?action=gotomanager&from=https://www.ovh.com/asia/&ovhSubsidiary=asia) with the login details you have received by email.
22+
### Step 1: Reboot the server into rescue mode
23+
24+
Rescue mode has to be activated before the admin password can be changed.
25+
26+
Use the respective guide to restart your OVHcloud service into rescue mode:
27+
28+
- [VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)
29+
- [Public Cloud instance](/pages/public_cloud/compute/put_an_instance_in_rescue_mode)
30+
31+
### Step 2: Mount the system partition
32+
33+
Connect to your server via SSH. (Consult the [SSH introduction guide](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/dedicated_servers/ssh_introduction) if necessary.)
1834

19-
Type the following commands to mount the remote file system:
35+
Alternatively, you can open a server connection by using [KVM (VPS)](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/using_kvm_for_vps) or the [VNC console (Public Cloud instance)](/pages/public_cloud/compute/first_steps_with_public_cloud_instance#accessvnc).
2036

21-
```sh
37+
Type the following commands to mount the Windows file system:
38+
39+
```bash
2240
ntfsfix /dev/sdb2
41+
```
42+
43+
```bash
2344
mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sdb2 /mnt
2445
```
2546

26-
Now start the password reset procedure:
47+
### Step 3: Clear the current password
2748

28-
```sh
29-
cd /mnt/Windows/System32/config
30-
chntpw -l SAM
49+
In this step the *SAM* file is edited by using a rescue mode tool. List the Windows users with this command:
50+
51+
```bash
52+
chntpw -l /mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM
3153
```
3254

33-
You will see a list of users. Take note of the administrator account (or the account you wish to change the password for). In this example, we will use `Administrator`. Please note that the commands are case-sensitive.
55+
```text
56+
| RID -|---------- Username ------------| Admin? |- Lock? --|
57+
| 01f4 | Administrator | ADMIN | dis/lock |
58+
| 01f7 | DefaultAccount | | dis/lock |
59+
| 01f5 | Guest | | dis/lock |
60+
| 01f8 | WDAGUtilityAccount | | dis/lock |
61+
```
3462

35-
```sh
36-
chntpw -u Administrator SAM
63+
In this example output, `Administrator` is the local admin account. Start the reset procedure with the following command. (Use `admin` in case `Administrator` does not exist.)
64+
65+
```bash
66+
chntpw -u Administrator /mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM
3767
```
3868

39-
Press `1` and `Enter` to clear the password. Press `q` to quit the password change prompt. Afterwards, press `y` to write the changes to the file.
69+
```text
70+
RID : 0500 [01f4]
71+
Username: Administrator
72+
fullname:
73+
comment : Built-in account for administering the computer/domain
74+
homedir :
75+
76+
00000220 = Administrators (which has 1 members)
77+
78+
Account bits: 0x0010 =
79+
[ ] Disabled | [ ] Homedir req. | [ ] Passwd not req. |
80+
[ ] Temp. duplicate | [X] Normal account | [ ] NMS account |
81+
[ ] Domain trust ac | [ ] Wks trust act. | [ ] Srv trust act |
82+
[ ] Pwd don't expir | [ ] Auto lockout | [ ] (unknown 0x08) |
83+
[ ] (unknown 0x10) | [ ] (unknown 0x20) | [ ] (unknown 0x40) |
84+
85+
Failed login count: 47034, while max tries is: 0
86+
Total login count: 5
87+
88+
- - - - User Edit Menu:
89+
1 - Clear (blank) user password
90+
2 - Unlock and enable user account [probably locked now]
91+
3 - Promote user (make user an administrator)
92+
4 - Add user to a group
93+
5 - Remove user from a group
94+
q - Quit editing user, back to user select
95+
Select: [q] >
96+
```
4097

41-
You can now leave the rescue mode and reboot normally (see [Activating rescue mode on a VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)).
98+
Type "1" and press `Enter`. (Make use of option 2 first if there is an "X" next to "Disabled".)
4299

43-
When logging in to your VPS now, you will not have to enter a password to log in to a Windows session.
100+
```text
101+
Select: [q] > 1
102+
Password cleared!
103+
```
104+
105+
Type "q" and press `Enter` to quit the tool. Type "y" when prompted and press `Enter`.
106+
107+
```text
108+
Select: [q] > q
109+
110+
Hives that have changed:
111+
# Name
112+
0 </mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM>
113+
Write hive files? (y/n) [n] : y
114+
0 </mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM> - OK
115+
```
116+
117+
### Step 4: Reboot the server
118+
119+
You can now leave rescue mode and restart the server. If necessary, use the respective guide for your service:
120+
121+
- [VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)
122+
- [Public Cloud instance](/pages/public_cloud/compute/put_an_instance_in_rescue_mode)
123+
124+
125+
### Step 5: Set a new password (KVM / VNC)
44126

45127
> [!warning]
46128
>
47-
> It is extremely unsafe to leave the Administrator account (or any account with administrative privileges) password blank. Please log in immediately to your VPS and change the password.
129+
> Do not skip this step. An unprotected Administrator account is a severe security risk.
48130
>
49131
50-
Once logged in to your Windows session, press `CTRL` + `ALT` + `DELETE` and then click on `Change a password`. If you are using the VNC console, click on the button on the top right that says `Send CtrlAltDel`.
132+
Connect to your server and enter `cmd` into the search bar to open the `Command Prompt`.
133+
134+
Set the password for the current user ("Administrator"):
135+
136+
```powershell
137+
net user Administrator *
138+
```
139+
140+
![administratorpw](images/adminpw_win.png){.thumbnail}
51141

52-
Leave the `Old password` field blank and type your new password twice. Make sure the passwords provided match.
142+
You can now log in as "Administrator" with this new password.
53143

54144
## Go further
55145

56-
Join our community of users on <https://community.ovh.com/en/>.
146+
147+
Join our community of users on <https://community.ovh.com/en/>.

‎pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/resetting_a_windows_password/guide.en-au.md

+113-22
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -1,56 +1,147 @@
11
---
2-
title: Resetting a Windows password
3-
excerpt: Find out how to reset your Windows account password
4-
updated: 2020-11-25
2+
title: Changing the admin password on a Windows server
3+
excerpt: Find out how to reset your Windows Administrator account password on a VPS or a Public Cloud instance using the OVHcloud rescue mode
4+
updated: 2023-10-29
55
---
66

77
## Objective
88

9-
In some cases you might need to reset a Windows password. This guide will show you how to reset the password of your Windows user account and successfully log in to your VPS again.
9+
When you install or reinstall a Windows Server operating system, you are provided with a password for administrative access (*Administrator* account).
10+
11+
If you have lost your Administrator password, you can reset it via the OVHcloud rescue mode.
12+
13+
**This guide explains how to reset the password of the admin account of a Windows Server OS in the OVHcloud rescue mode.**
1014

1115
## Requirements
1216

13-
- The VPS must be in rescue mode (see [Activating rescue mode on a VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)).
17+
- A [VPS](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-au/vps/) or a [Public Cloud instance](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-au/public-cloud/) in your OVHcloud account
18+
- Access to the [OVHcloud Control Panel](https://ca.ovh.com/auth/?action=gotomanager&from=https://www.ovh.com.au/&ovhSubsidiary=au)
1419

1520
## Instructions
1621

17-
Connect to the VPS via VNC in the [OVHcloud Control Panel](https://ca.ovh.com/auth/?action=gotomanager&from=https://www.ovh.com.au/&ovhSubsidiary=au) with the login details you have received by email.
22+
### Step 1: Reboot the server into rescue mode
23+
24+
Rescue mode has to be activated before the admin password can be changed.
25+
26+
Use the respective guide to restart your OVHcloud service into rescue mode:
27+
28+
- [VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)
29+
- [Public Cloud instance](/pages/public_cloud/compute/put_an_instance_in_rescue_mode)
30+
31+
### Step 2: Mount the system partition
32+
33+
Connect to your server via SSH. (Consult the [SSH introduction guide](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/dedicated_servers/ssh_introduction) if necessary.)
1834

19-
Type the following commands to mount the remote file system:
35+
Alternatively, you can open a server connection by using [KVM (VPS)](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/using_kvm_for_vps) or the [VNC console (Public Cloud instance)](/pages/public_cloud/compute/first_steps_with_public_cloud_instance#accessvnc).
2036

21-
```sh
37+
Type the following commands to mount the Windows file system:
38+
39+
```bash
2240
ntfsfix /dev/sdb2
41+
```
42+
43+
```bash
2344
mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sdb2 /mnt
2445
```
2546

26-
Now start the password reset procedure:
47+
### Step 3: Clear the current password
2748

28-
```sh
29-
cd /mnt/Windows/System32/config
30-
chntpw -l SAM
49+
In this step the *SAM* file is edited by using a rescue mode tool. List the Windows users with this command:
50+
51+
```bash
52+
chntpw -l /mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM
3153
```
3254

33-
You will see a list of users. Take note of the administrator account (or the account you wish to change the password for). In this example, we will use `Administrator`. Please note that the commands are case-sensitive.
55+
```text
56+
| RID -|---------- Username ------------| Admin? |- Lock? --|
57+
| 01f4 | Administrator | ADMIN | dis/lock |
58+
| 01f7 | DefaultAccount | | dis/lock |
59+
| 01f5 | Guest | | dis/lock |
60+
| 01f8 | WDAGUtilityAccount | | dis/lock |
61+
```
3462

35-
```sh
36-
chntpw -u Administrator SAM
63+
In this example output, `Administrator` is the local admin account. Start the reset procedure with the following command. (Use `admin` in case `Administrator` does not exist.)
64+
65+
```bash
66+
chntpw -u Administrator /mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM
3767
```
3868

39-
Press `1` and `Enter` to clear the password. Press `q` to quit the password change prompt. Afterwards, press `y` to write the changes to the file.
69+
```text
70+
RID : 0500 [01f4]
71+
Username: Administrator
72+
fullname:
73+
comment : Built-in account for administering the computer/domain
74+
homedir :
75+
76+
00000220 = Administrators (which has 1 members)
77+
78+
Account bits: 0x0010 =
79+
[ ] Disabled | [ ] Homedir req. | [ ] Passwd not req. |
80+
[ ] Temp. duplicate | [X] Normal account | [ ] NMS account |
81+
[ ] Domain trust ac | [ ] Wks trust act. | [ ] Srv trust act |
82+
[ ] Pwd don't expir | [ ] Auto lockout | [ ] (unknown 0x08) |
83+
[ ] (unknown 0x10) | [ ] (unknown 0x20) | [ ] (unknown 0x40) |
84+
85+
Failed login count: 47034, while max tries is: 0
86+
Total login count: 5
87+
88+
- - - - User Edit Menu:
89+
1 - Clear (blank) user password
90+
2 - Unlock and enable user account [probably locked now]
91+
3 - Promote user (make user an administrator)
92+
4 - Add user to a group
93+
5 - Remove user from a group
94+
q - Quit editing user, back to user select
95+
Select: [q] >
96+
```
4097

41-
You can now leave the rescue mode and reboot normally (see [Activating rescue mode on a VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)).
98+
Type "1" and press `Enter`. (Make use of option 2 first if there is an "X" next to "Disabled".)
4299

43-
When logging in to your VPS now, you will not have to enter a password to log in to a Windows session.
100+
```text
101+
Select: [q] > 1
102+
Password cleared!
103+
```
104+
105+
Type "q" and press `Enter` to quit the tool. Type "y" when prompted and press `Enter`.
106+
107+
```text
108+
Select: [q] > q
109+
110+
Hives that have changed:
111+
# Name
112+
0 </mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM>
113+
Write hive files? (y/n) [n] : y
114+
0 </mnt/Windows/System32/config/SAM> - OK
115+
```
116+
117+
### Step 4: Reboot the server
118+
119+
You can now leave rescue mode and restart the server. If necessary, use the respective guide for your service:
120+
121+
- [VPS](/pages/bare_metal_cloud/virtual_private_servers/rescue)
122+
- [Public Cloud instance](/pages/public_cloud/compute/put_an_instance_in_rescue_mode)
123+
124+
125+
### Step 5: Set a new password (KVM / VNC)
44126

45127
> [!warning]
46128
>
47-
> It is extremely unsafe to leave the Administrator account (or any account with administrative privileges) password blank. Please log in immediately to your VPS and change the password.
129+
> Do not skip this step. An unprotected Administrator account is a severe security risk.
48130
>
49131
50-
Once logged in to your Windows session, press `CTRL` + `ALT` + `DELETE` and then click on `Change a password`. If you are using the VNC console, click on the button on the top right that says `Send CtrlAltDel`.
132+
Connect to your server and enter `cmd` into the search bar to open the `Command Prompt`.
133+
134+
Set the password for the current user ("Administrator"):
135+
136+
```powershell
137+
net user Administrator *
138+
```
139+
140+
![administratorpw](images/adminpw_win.png){.thumbnail}
51141

52-
Leave the `Old password` field blank and type your new password twice. Make sure the passwords provided match.
142+
You can now log in as "Administrator" with this new password.
53143

54144
## Go further
55145

56-
Join our community of users on <https://community.ovh.com/en/>.
146+
147+
Join our community of users on <https://community.ovh.com/en/>.

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