Resetting the Administrator Password on a Windows 2012 R2 VM (VMware ESXi) | Colin Wilson

[utterances-bot]

Resetting the Administrator Password on a Windows 2012 R2 VM (VMware ESXi)

How to reset a forgotten Windows 2012 R2 password on VMware ESXi

https://colinwilson.uk/2019/04/25/resetting-the-administrator-password-on-a-windows-2012-r2-vm-vmware-esxi/

[bisi-sysadmin]

I have a slightly different situation that this might fit, and am wondering if you have any insight. The situation is an exchange server that has lost the trust relationship with the DC (both 2012 r2). The local admin password for the exchange server does not work, and all the repair options (for the lost trust relationship) seem to require the ability to log on to the exchange server as a local admin.

So - can this method (or something like it) be used to set the local admin password on the exchange server?

And this is an inherited mess, so it is quite possible the local admin account on the exchange server has been changed. Possible to learn the actual UserID AND change the password?

[colinwilson]

@bisi-sysadmin I haven't tried it but I believe this method could work. If you can't determine the UserID (for password reset) you may be able to create a new local admin account in order to regain access.

[bisi-sysadmin]

Boot from the Micrsoft Windows Server 2012 DVD From the Windows Setup menu, click “Next”. Select “Repair your computer” Under Choose an option, click on “Troubleshoot”. Under Advanced options, click “Command Prompt”. At the command prompt, run the following commands: d: cd windows\system32 dir utilman. ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.installed copy cmd.exe utilman.exe dir utilman. Exit the command prompt and then click “Continue”.

The server should now reboot - allow normal boot (not from CD) - and present the logon screen.

Windows key + U to launch utilman (actually cmd.exe)

net user (to list users on machine) net user SomeAcceptablePassword678! set | find /i "name" -- make a note of the machine name to use it as the login domain exit

should be back at the logon screen

change the logon user to machineName\

you should be able to log on normally now. (after a long wait for all the exchange services to time out).

Remember to undo your handiwork...

Boot from the CD 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: d: cd windows\system32 dir utilman. ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.fake copy utilman.exe.installed utilman.exe dir utilman. (optional) del utilman.exe.fake Close the command prompt and then click “Continue”

machine will reboot (be prepared to intercept it)

(if necessary) - adjust BIOS setting to not use CD

http://www.kieranlane.com/2013/09/18/resetting-administrator-password-windows-2012/

[akwete]

I am unable to launch Utility Manager either by clicking the "ease of accessibility" icon or using the Windows + "U" keys. I am using the virtual (VMware Remote) console within vSphere via vCenter.

[colinwilson]

@akwete Do you receive an error message of any kind? Or does nothing happen?

[akwete]

Nothing happens. No errors whatsoever..

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From: Colin Wilson @.> Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2021 5:21 PM To: colinwilson/comments @.> Cc: akwete @.>; Mention @.> Subject: Re: [colinwilson/comments] Resetting the Administrator Password on a Windows 2012 R2 VM (VMware ESXi) (#5)

@akwetehttps://github.com/akwete Do you receive an error message of any kind? Or does nothing happen?

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[cferalva]

Works perfectly.

[cferalva]

@akwete maybe you forget this instruction.

E:\Windows\System32>copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe