How can I monitor the boot process of my VPS during recovery?

Open the Console tab in the VPS dashboard to follow the boot process after mounting the ISO and restarting the server.

VPS: Restore Access

Learn how to regain access to your Windows VPS after a password lockout and minimize downtime → Find out more now

10 November 20262 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

It can happen quickly... You try to log into your Windows Server, but your password is no longer accepted or you simply forgot it. Suddenly, you are locked out and access to important data and applications is no longer possible. This situation is of course frustrating, but far from the end. If you follow the steps described below, you can restore access to your Windows VPS and continue your work with minimal interruptions.

Preparation

Access is reset via the administrator account by using the Windows installation ISO – the same ISO that was originally used to install the operating system.

To do this, open the ISOs tab in the VPS dashboard, select the appropriate Windows ISO, and click Mount. Then confirm that the server should boot from the ISO on the next start, and restart it using the Restart Server button.

Restore Access

Next, open the Console tab to monitor the boot process. The Windows installation interface should appear on the next start.

Now it’s time to reset access to the administrator account. Follow the initial setup steps again, but only proceed up to the start of the installation, then click Repair your computer.

The advanced options will open. Click Troubleshoot and then Command Prompt. This will open the command line (cmd.exe).

Now execute the following commands one after another in the command prompt:

Code

d:
cd Windows
cd System32
move utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
net user administrator /active:yes
shutdown -r -t 0

Warning

The keyboard layout in the console may differ from your own, so certain characters might be on different keys. Keep this in mind to enter the commands correctly.

After the server restarts, press the key combination Win+U on the login screen. In the command prompt window that opens, enter:

Code

net user Administrator YourNewPassword
exit

Your password has now been changed. However, you must undo the changes to the Utilman files. Simply restart your server again (via the Console) and repeat the following steps through the repair options from the ISO. In the command prompt, execute these commands:

Code

d:
cd Windows
cd System32
del utilman.exe
ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe
shutdown -r -t 0

Tip

Don’t forget to click Boot from Hard Drive again in the ISOs tab after finishing, so your server boots normally from the hard drive on the next restart instead of the ISO.

Completion

Once you have completed the process, you should have successfully set a new password for the administrator user. You can now log in again via Remote Desktop Connection. If you have any further questions or need assistance, our support team is available daily to help! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Mount the appropriate Windows installation ISO under the ISOs tab in the VPS dashboard, restart the server from this ISO, and reset the administrator password via the command line in repair mode.

The same Windows installation ISO that was originally used to install the operating system.

Follow the initial steps in the Windows setup until the start of installation, then click Repair your computer, followed by Troubleshoot, and then Command Prompt.

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VPS: Restore Access

Introduction

Preparation

Restore Access

Completion

Frequently asked questions

VPS

Preparation

Restore Access

Completion

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