Knowledge Base

Reset Windows VPS Password

If you have lost or forgotten the Administrator password to log into your Windows VPS, you can use the Reset Password facility in mPanel to remove the password.

Resetting the Administrator password on a Windows VPS will disable its Remote Desktop Connection functionality until a new Administrator password is set, then the VPS rebooted.

Important: You will need to complete all steps in this guide before being able to log into your VPS using the Remote Desktop Connection software again.

Note: The images shown in this guide are based on Window Server 2003. The same procedure can be used to reset the Administrator account password on all Windows versions.

Step 1. Log into mPanel and click the Manage button for your VPS.

Step 2. Go to 'Manage' in the top menu bar, then click 'Reset Password' from the list.

Step 3. Read the instructions on the page thoroughly then click Reset Password.

Step 4. A dialogue box will display the progress of the password reset and VPS reboot process.

Step 5. Once the VPS has rebooted, click the Rescue Console link.

Step 6. The Rescue Console will show your VPS' pre-login screen. Click the 'Send Ctrl-Alt-Del' button at the top of the rescue console window.

Step 7. On the login screen click once in the Password: field(do not type anything in there) then click OK.

Step 8. Click the 'Send Ctrl-Alt-Del' button at the top of the rescue console window again(as shown in Step 6.).

Step 9. Click 'Change Password' from the lock screen.

Step 10. In the Change Password window enter your new Administrator account password into the 'New Password' and 'Confirm New Password' fields(don't modify anything else), then click OK.

Step 11. If all previous steps were followed correctly a dialogue will be presented confirming the password was changed. Click OK on the confirmation box. The VPS will now need to be rebooted to enable Remote Desktop Connection again.

Step 12. Click the 'Send Ctrl-Alt-Del' button at the top of the rescue console window once again(as shown in Step 6.).

Step 13. Click the 'Shut Down..' button on the lock screen.

Step 14. Underneath 'What do you want the computer to do?' click the down-arrow on the right and select 'Restart'

Step 15. To continue past this point, enter a comment into the 'Comment:' field at the bottom, then click OK.

Step 16. The VPS will run through the shutdown(reboot) process.

Step 17. When the Windows login screen appears in the Rescue Console again after rebooting, login to your VPS with the Remote Desktop Connection software(do not log in with the Rescue Console window).

Step 18. After successfully logging into your Windows VPS with the new Administrator account password you've set, a new dialogue box will appear in the Rescue Console window.

Step 19. Click the 'Shutdown Rescue Console' button to finish up.