Introduction:

Losing access to your Windows Server admin password can be a daunting situation. However, there’s no need to panic – with the right steps, you can easily regain access to your server and resume your operations. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of resetting a Windows Server admin password, ensuring a smooth recovery.

Step 1: Access Recovery Options

1. Restart the Windows Server.
2. During the boot process, access the Advanced Startup Options. This usually involves pressing a specific key (such as F8 or F12) while the server is starting up.
3. 
4. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.”
5. Once the server restarts, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt.”
6. 

Step 2: Changing the Admin Password

1. In the Command Prompt, type net user and press Enter. This will display a list of all user accounts on the server.
2. Identify the Administrator account and type net user Administrator * and press Enter.
3. You’ll be prompted to enter a new password twice. Note that as you type, the characters won’t be displayed on the screen for security reasons.
4. Once done, restart the server by typing shutdown /r /t 0 in the Command Prompt and pressing Enter.

Step 3: Verify the Password Reset

1. After the server restarts, log in using the new Administrator password you just set.
2. Make sure to test the password by performing various administrative tasks to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

Step 4: Resetting Safe Mode

1. Once you’ve successfully logged in and verified the password reset, it’s essential to exit Safe Mode.
2. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot and press Enter.
3. Restart the server to ensure it starts normally.

Preventive Measures:

1. Regularly document and securely store your server passwords in a safe location.
2. Implement a strong password policy that enforces complex passwords and regular password changes.
3. Create a password reset disk or establish multiple admin accounts for redundancy.

Conclusion:

Losing access to your Windows Server admin password doesn’t have to be a crisis. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly reset the password and regain control of your server. Remember to take preventive measures to avoid such situations in the future and ensure the security of your critical systems.