How to Reset Windows Server 2008 R2 Password with Installation Disc

A Windows server 2008 r2 installation disc could save your life in an emergency. All you need is insert the Server 2008 r2 installation disc in the machine, and then follow these steps to Enter Windows Recovery Environment:

  1. Boot from the Windows Server 2008 R2 installation disc.

  2. From the Install Windows menu, click Next.

  3. Select Repair your computer, and then Next.

  4. Click Command prompt to open a window, run the following commands:

    D:
    CD D:\Windows\System32
    RENAME sethc.exe sethc.exe.bak
    COPY cmd.exe sethc.exe

    Use bcdedit command to determine os device.

  5. Reboot the Windows Server 2008 r2 system to let Windows load as normal, at the logon screen, press Shift five times. Command prompt will show, enter the following command:

    net user administrator NEW_PASSWORD (replace with the password you want)

  6. Reboot.

Once you have verified you can log on to the server with the new password, don't forget to repeat the steps above and run the command prompt again to delete the new created sethc.exe and rename sethc.exe.bak back to sethc.exe.