What to do if you forgot Windows Server 2016 administrator password

Forgot Windows Server 2016 admin password and can't access computer? This guide will show you what to do when you forget the Windows Server 2016 administrator password.

Whether you forgot your local or domain admin password in Windows Server 2016, Windows Password Recovery can easily reset your forgotten password without complicated code.

Use an account with administrative permissions to reset the forgotten administrator password on Windows Server 2016.

Administrative password in Windows Server 2016 is the cornerstone of system control, granting permissions to manage services and infrastructure, particularly in enterprises and organizations. Once you forget administrator password for Windows Server 2016, you are at high risk of downtime and workflow disruption.

Although it is possible to recover the password, the process can be complicated and time-consuming, especially without proper preparation. This guide provides comprehensive and effective solutions to the problem of forgetting Windows Server 2016 administrator password, allowing you to reset the forgotten Windows Server 2016 admin password and regain access to your computer without losing data.

Solutions for forgetting admin password on Windows Server 2016:

• Use command prompt
• Try Windows Password Recovery tool
• Use other local accounts with administrative privileges
• Use a domain administrator account
• Reinstalling the operating system

Solution 1. Using command prompt

When you forgot your Windows Server 2016 administrator password, Windows Server 2016 is equipped with powerful built-in tools that can help administrator reset forgotten password through remote or physical access to the server.

This method utilizes Windows installation media and the command prompt, making it a reliable and straightforward solution for administrators who prefer to use native tools. However, this method works only if you have a genuine, original Windows Server 2016 installation media (USB or DVD).

1. Boot from Installation Media:

• Insert the Windows Server 2016 installation USB or DVD into the server computer.
• Restart the server and boot from the installation media by adjusting the BIOS/UEFI boot order or selecting the one-time boot menu (typically F12).

2. Access the Recovery Environment:

• On the Windows Setup screen, select your language preferences and click Next.
• Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner. Choose Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.

3. Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt:

• In the Command Prompt, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32 directory by typing: cd C:\Windows\System32
• Rename the Utilman.exe file to create a backup: ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.bak
• Replace Utilman.exe with a copy of cmd.exe: copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

4. Reset the Password:

• Run command wpeutil reboot to restart the server and boot into the normal operating system.
• On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon (or Windows Key + U) in the bottom-right corner. This will open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges.
• Use the net user command to reset the administrator password. For example: net user Administrator NewPassword
• Replace NewPassword with your desired password.

5. Restore Utility Manager:

• After resetting the password, boot back into the installation media and restore the original Utilman.exe file: ren Utilman.exe.bak Utilman.exe
• Restart your computer and access your Windows Server 2016 with the new password.

Solution 2. Using Windows Password Recovery

Forgetting the Windows Server 2016 administrator password is a tricky thing. Most solutions are complicated and require certain coding knowledge, which is not friendly to technology novices. At this time, friendly and professional Windows Password Recovery is your savior.

Equipped with an intuitive interface and advanced functions, this software is designed to simplify the password reset process, allowing you to quickly create a Windows password reset disk to reset forgotten local/domain admin passwords on your Windows Server 2016.

In addition to being able to reset Admin/user local account password and domain Admin and user password, this software can also remove or delete accounts from multiple existing accounts on the computer and add new administrative accounts.

Here's how to reset the administrator password that you forgot on Windows Server 2016 via Windows Password Recovery:

Step 1. Burn the password reset disk to a blank USB drive or CD/DVD.

Download and run Windows Password Recovery on another available Windows computer.

Insert a formatted blank USB drive or CD/DVD into the computer. Using a USB drive as an example, click Next > Burning to create a password reset disk on your USB drive.

Remove the USB drive and insert it into your locked Windows Server 2016 device.

Note:

• Note the correct key used to boot your locked computer, which varies by brand.

Step 2. Set the computer to boot from USB.

Power on your Windows Server 2016 and keep pressing the corresponding key (typically F2, F12, Delete, or Esc), then follow the instructions to enter the BIOS menu and set the USB drive as the first boot priority. For specific tutorials, you can see How to boot from a USB drive in Windows.

Step 3. Reset the forgotten password for admin account on Windows Server 2016.

Once your computer successfully boots from the USB disk, you will come to the software interface to reset your forgotten password. Select Windows Server 2016 from the operating system list and locate the administrator account whose password you forgot.

Check Reset Account Password, set your new password in the pop-up window, and then hit the Reset button.

Wait for a moment, the software will reset the administrator password of your Windows Server 2016. You can use the new password to unlock and access your device normally.

Solution 3. Using other local accounts with administrative privileges

If your locked-out Windows Server 2016 is configured with multiple administrator accounts, you can use another local account with administrative privileges to reset the forgotten administrator account password.

This method relies on leveraging an alternate local account with elevated rights—whether a custom admin or a re-enabled default Administrator—to perform a reset. It requires that at least one other administrative account is available and that you know its credentials.

1. Log in to the Windows Server 2016 via console or RDP using the alternate admin account's credentials.

2. Press Win + X and select Computer Management. Or you can right-click the Start button and choose Computer Management.

3. Navigate to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users.

4. Right-click the locked administrator account that you forgot the password and select Set Password.

5. Enter and confirm the new password, then click OK to save changes.

Solution 4. Using a domain administrator account

For servers that belong to a domain, domain administrators can leverage the hierarchical control of Active Directory to reset the credentials of member servers. This method is ideal for enterprise environments where domain controllers manage user accounts and permissions.

By utilizing Active Directory, a centralized and efficient approach, you can resolve forgotten Windows Server 2016 admin password issue without physical access to the server.

1. Log in to any domain administrator account on another domain-joined computer.

2. Click Start > Control > Administrative Tools.

3. Select Active Directory Users and Computers and navigate to the Users folder.

4. Right-click your server's account from the user list and choose Reset Password.

5. Set a new password and confirm it, then click OK to complete.

Solution 5. Reinstalling the operating system

If the above methods all fail, reinstalling the Windows Server 2016 operating system can fix the forgot Windows Server 2016 administrator password issue. During the reinstallation of Windows Server 2016, the system partition will be formatted, erasing all data on that partition, including all programs, settings, personal files, and the previous operating system configuration—along with the forgotten administrator password.

This method should be considered a last resort, as while it can unlock your Windows Server 2016 if you forget the administrator password, it comes at the cost of losing all data on the computer.

Conclusion

Forgetting your Windows Server 2016 admin password can be resolved through multiple methods. The best approach depends on your environment, access level, and risk tolerance.

• Using command prompt - Best for standalone servers with no alternate accounts but accessible installation media.
• Using Windows Password Recovery tool - The quickest and most straightforward approach for both novices and experts.
• Using other accounts with administrative privileges - Ideal when a secondary local admin account is available and known.
• Using a domain admin account - Perfect for AD-joined servers with a functional domain admin account.
• Reinstalling the Operating System - Last resort.