Reset Server 2012 R2 Password: A Ultimate Guide

Introduction of reset Server 2012 R2 password

Imagine being locked out of your own Server 2012 R2, with critical data and operations at a standstill. Don't panic! Our solution empowers you to regain control swiftly and effortlessly. By resetting the Server 2012 R2 password, you can reclaim access and resume your server's functionality.

This post is a Windows Server 2012 R2 password reset guide, which will help you reset the lost password easily and safely. Whether you've forgotten the password or need to regain access due to other reasons, our method will grant you the freedom to navigate your server once again.

How to reset Windows Server 2012 R2 administrator password

To reset Windows Server 2012 r2 password when you can run it, you can refer to the following steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key, type "Administrative Tools," and open the application.

Step 2. Navigate to "Computer Management."

Step 3. Click on "Local Users and Groups" followed by "Users."

Step 4. Locate the "Administrator" user, right-click on it, and select "Set Password" > "Proceed."

Step 5. Enter the new password and confirm it.

After successful setup, you can use the new password to access Windows Server 2012 R2.

Resetting the Administrator Password on Windows Server

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to change the administrator password on Windows Server because the old password is lost, don't worry. You can still regain access to the server by following these steps, which are applicable to Windows Server versions 2008 R2, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022:

Insert a Windows Server R2 installation USB or DVD and boot the system from it.

1. On the "Language and other preferences" screen, click "Next."

2. Select the "Repair your computer".

3. Select "Troubleshoot."

4. Click "Command Prompt."

5. Enter the following command:

MOVE C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman2.exe

This command creates a backup of the utility manager.

COPY C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe

This command replaces Utilman with the Command Prompt, allowing you to reset the password.

Note: Modify the commands accordingly if your Windows installation is located on a different disk partition.

6. Reboot the Windows system.

7. On the login screen, click the "Ease of Access" icon.

8. Enter the following command: net user .

9. Set and confirm the desired password.

Once you've successfully reset the password, you can log in as the administrator. However, it's important to restore the changes made to Utilman to their original state. To do this:

1. Reboot the computer again using the Server R2 installation USB.

2. Open the Command Prompt.

3. Execute the following command:

MOVE C:\Windows\System32\Utilman2.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe

Restart your server once more, and you're all done. Your administrator password has been reset, and the Utilman file is restored to its initial configuration.

Reset Windows Server 2012 R2 password using a Password Reset Disk

If you have previously created a password reset disk for your Windows Server, you can easily regain access to your system by following these steps:

Step 1. Insert the password reset disk into your Server 2012 R2 and reboot the Windows system.

Step 2. When prompted to log in, click on the "Reset Password" link.

Step 3. In the "Password Reset Wizard" proceed by clicking "Next" until you are asked to specify the location of the password disk.

Step 4. Select the password reset disk from the options provided and then follow the on-screen instructions to set a new password.

Step 5. Once the password has been successfully reset, reboot your computer.

Step 6. Log in to your Server 2012 R2 using the newly set password.

By utilizing your password reset disk, you can effectively recover access to your Windows Server and regain control over your system.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Server - Create Windows Server 2012 R2 password reset USB

If you can't take the above steps to reset Server 2012 R2 password, then you can try this one easier solution.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Server can unleash the true power of your Windows Servers. This excellent software provides "Reset Windows Password" function to quickly reset Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012 R2 password after you lost it. And the whole process is very easy, even if you are a beginner.

In addition, it provides a series of advanced features, including resize/merge/format partitions, disk cloning, dynamic disk management, recover lost partitions or data, and secure disk wipe. With every operation, your server's security and stability are guaranteed, ensuring a worry-free experience.

Please download it to see how to reset Server 2012 R2 password with AOMEI Partition Assistant Server.

Part 1. Create Server 2012 R2 password reset bootable media

Step 1. Download and install it on the PC that you can run it. Then, click Tools> Reset Windows Password on the main interface.

Step 2. Then, click Next to create a bootable USB.

Step 3. Choose the USB you prepared and click Proceed.

Step 4. Read the information and click Yes.

Step 5. Waiting for creation to finish.

Part 2. Reset Windows Server 2012 R2 password

After creating the bootable USB, insert the USB into the Server 2012 R2 device.

Step 1. Change the boot drive to make this device boot from the bootable USB.

Step 2. When AOMEI Partition Assistant pop out, click Reset Windows Password and click Next.

Step 3. Here, select the "User Name" and "Reset Account Password". Then, click the "Next" to type in new password .

Step 4. After that, reboot the computer and login to the Server 2012 R2 with new password.

With AOMEI Partition Assistant Server, resetting your Server 2012 R2 password becomes a seamless and stress-free experience. Embrace the power to reclaim control and conquer new horizons with confidence.

Final words

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide addressed three different scenarios related to Windows Server admin password management:

✦ Changing a known admin password: If you are aware of your administrator password, you can easily change it by accessing the Users section of your server and selecting the option to modify the admin password.
✦ Resetting an unknown admin password using Command Prompt: In cases where you have forgotten your administrator password, the Command Prompt can be utilized to reset it.
✦ Using a Password Recovery Disk: If you have previously created a password recovery disk, it can serve as a valuable tool for resetting a forgotten administrator password. Inserting the disk during system reboot and following the prompts allows you to establish a new password.
✦ AOMEI Partition Assistant Server: This is probably the easiest way to reset Windows Server password, create bootable media in a working PC and then use it to reset the password of the Server device, the whole process is very fast.

Regardless of the specific situation you find yourself in, this guide provides step-by-step instructions to successfully reset Server 2012 R2 password.