Reset AD Domain Administrator Password

Question

How can I reset the administrator password for a Windows 2008 R2 DC?

It appears that none of the Domain Admin passwords/accounts are valid for this given DC, and there are several machines actively using it. Id strongly prefer not to rebuild the domain... Any other suggestion would be welcome.

I am able to enter recovery mode, but this is running Minnt, and it's not running the DC's installation.

Answer 1

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2009/03/12/how-to-reset-your-lost-2003-active-directory-admin-password/

That should cover what you need. You will need to know your local administrator password. There are lots of tools out there to do that, pick your poison. I use the Hiren's boot disk, or you could try a dedicated one like http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

Answer 2

This trick is not for remote! It's only in local, to ensure some security!

Require :

• The original Windows Server 2008 R2

Follow these step :

• Boot on the windows cd
• Select the language
• Select "repair"
• Clic next
• Select "command prompt"
• type C: to be in the right drive.
• cd to C:\Windows\System32
• MOVE Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.backup (backup of the .exe)

• COPY cmd.exe Utilman.exe (that's the trick)

  Restart the server

• On the login screen, clic on the help utility, or shortcut windows+u (command prompt will show)

• type net user administrator (password) (type only net user for more information about the command)

  Restart the server, and don't forget to rename the Utilman.exe.backup to Utilman.exe.

That should do the trick.

Hope this will help.