> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.edbb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set New Windows Administrator Password

> Boot the Windows password-helper ISO, clear the Administrator password, and assign a new Password in a few minutes.

## Reset the Windows Administrator Password

<Info>
  Every EDBB Windows VPS includes a password-helper ISO. Booting from it lets you clear the local SAM database and set a new Administrator password without reinstalling the operating system.
</Info>

***

## Before You Begin

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="🔐 Control Panel Access">
    Confirm you can sign in to the <a href="https://my.edbb.com/clientarea.php" target="_blank">EDBB Control Panel</a>. You’ll manage the entire workflow from the service Control Panel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🕒 Restart Window">
    Allow a short maintenance window—the VPS reboots once into the helper ISO and once back into Windows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🔑 New Password Ready">
    Prepare a strong replacement password in your manager so you can paste it the moment Windows unlocks.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1 – Open the VPS Control Panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in">
    Sign in to the EDBB Control Panel, go to <strong>Services</strong>, and open the Windows VPS that needs recovery.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the status">
    Ensure the VPS is running. The helper workflow uses an automated reboot—no manual shutdown required.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2 – Boot from the Password Helper ISO

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable console access">
    In the quick action column, expand the red <strong>VNC Off</strong> button and choose <strong>Enable VNC</strong>. See the <a href="https://docs.edbb.com/enable-vnc-server">VNC guide</a> if you need extra help.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Installation → ISO Boot">
    Switch to the <strong>Installation</strong> tab along the top, then select the <strong>ISO Boot</strong> sub-tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mount the helper ISO">
    Pick <strong>1\_Password-Reset-Helper.iso</strong>, tick <strong>Force reset & boot from the selected ISO</strong>, and click <strong>Mount ISO</strong>.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the console">
    Click <strong>Open Console</strong> to launch the portal console (or use your preferred VNC client) and watch the helper environment boot.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/jk221gGjGVanns-Password-Reset-Helper.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=2915ed3265a0dabc8f763bcde7325493" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="935" height="673" data-path="assets/jk221gGjGVanns-Password-Reset-Helper.png" />

***

## Step 3 – Clear the Administrator Password

1. Click inside the console window so keyboard input is captured.

2. Wait for the helper menu to appear.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/UVFJBNhdbn1c73-chntpw.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=c4b2bd274dece3e1c3516d9d33b3b3c1" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/UVFJBNhdbn1c73-chntpw.png" />

3. Press **Enter**, type `1` for **Reset Administrator password**, and press **Enter** again.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/ix5iD2dZZyen4P22emv-resetadminpassword.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=a6abf15601af17081e1533198033caeb" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/ix5iD2dZZyen4P22emv-resetadminpassword.png" />

4. Type `q` to quit the user editor and hit **Enter**.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/4iwS9tjeowHQfbaaQSC-quiteditinguser.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=8524cb690ea5d53c7e82fa4094945759" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/4iwS9tjeowHQfbaaQSC-quiteditinguser.png" />

5. Enter `y` to save the changes and press **Enter** once more.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/Mu5oWRhP2anwRDejnqh-writechanges.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=0b6efd3513074b1611e2a16b50953ef0" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/Mu5oWRhP2anwRDejnqh-writechanges.png" />

6. Accept the confirmation to unmount the ISO and reboot.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/mHzEbq4n4DXgiT5iVFz-umount.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=7b8babd4ebe05d1af2e2195f38a0c09f" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="1024" height="768" data-path="assets/mHzEbq4n4DXgiT5iVFz-umount.png" />

The VPS restarts automatically and boots back into Windows with the Administrator password cleared.

<Callout type="warning">
  Store the new password immediately—EDBB does not resend credentials. Treat the helper ISO as temporary; leave it mounted only while you complete the reset.
</Callout>

***

## Step 4 – Sign In and Set a New Password

1. After the reboot, Windows signs in without asking for a password.

2. Launch **Command Prompt** as Administrator.

   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/nB_DvyqQcZNKEL5141Wak_win1.jpeg?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=9115cf13ff6f3462ea38a9c666294d54" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="731" height="784" data-path="assets/nB_DvyqQcZNKEL5141Wak_win1.jpeg" />

3. Run the following command, replacing `NewStrongPassword!` with your chosen value:

```shell theme={"system"}
net user Administrator "NewStrongPassword!"
```

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/IBH4szipJmqFxhok/assets/q7wiAyHP8mf8iXnKbh1HU_newpassword.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IBH4szipJmqFxhok&q=85&s=5b092fe8b8e43000ae715d974984f3ca" alt="Reset Windows Password" width="978" height="508" data-path="assets/q7wiAyHP8mf8iXnKbh1HU_newpassword.png" />

4. Close the command window, log off, and sign back in with the new Administrator password to confirm the change.

***

## Step 5 – Return to Normal Boot

<Steps>
  <Step title="Unmount the ISO">
    Back in <strong>Installation → ISO Boot</strong>, click <strong>Unmount</strong> so Windows boots from disk next time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable VNC">
    Toggle VNC back off if you only needed it for the reset.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update records">
    Store the new credential in your password manager and update any internal runbooks.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Aftercare Tips

* Enable multi-factor authentication for administrative users where possible.
* Audit local accounts periodically and remove access for former staff or contractors.
* Keep this helper ISO workflow in your incident response plan for future reference.

You have now restored Administrator access to your Windows VPS without reinstallation.