I setup a Server 2008 standard R2 with Hyper V. I have forgotten the Administrator password on both the local and virtual side. Both the local and virtual have the same Administrator password. I do have my own account on the local side and I am in the administrator group. I understand from some of the post here that I can change the Administrator account from my account, but is there a way to bridge from the local to the virtual side and change the Administrator account there using my account?

You should consider making a password reset boot CD image. Configure the VM to boot to the .ISO and run through the password reset process. There are many utilities that will perform the reset. One popular free program to do this is available at the following URL: http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/ Brian

I blanked the password and I still cant get in.

Let's see if anybody else has some other ideas.

Hi If you are in the Administrators group then you should be able to reset the password. Follow the guide in this link : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754651(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_NetFndtn_ChngPWD_2008 BR René

Hi, You can use your own account to reset the password of the local administrator. Regarding administrator password in Hyper-V machine, do you have any other user who has administrator privileges in this virtual machine? If so, you can use that user to reset the administrator’s password. If you have no other administrator account, there is no Microsoft recommended way to reset the administrative passwords. This is designed for improving the OS security. Thanks for your understanding. For more information, please take a look at the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Microsoft policy about lost or forgotten passwords http://support.microsoft.com/kb/189126/en-us Regards, Bruce

If you have accessibility options enabled and no hard disk encryption, try this... Boot to installation media and get a cmd prompt run the following commands: copy c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe.old copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe reboot When prompted to login, click the accessibility button (bottom left) and place a check next to screen magnifier. This should launch a command prompt window with system level privs. You can now *safely* change the administrator's password. Here's an webpage better describing the process: http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_backdoor_logon.htm The same method can be done to recover your virtual systems.

For Windows Server 2008 R2 domain password reset, I've ever tried many ways to solve the forgotten password problem. Finally, I chose the Windows Password Recovery Corporation to help me. Step1. Google search "Windows Password Recovery Corporation", download and install in any available computer. Step2. Create a bootable CD/DVD or USB flash drive. (A blank CD/DVD/USB Flash Drive is needed) Step3. BIOS set. Boot computer from the created CD/DVD/USB Flash Drive and set BIOS setup. Step4. Reset Windows server 2008 or 2008R2 password to Re123456.

Hi, Yes. If the virtual machine's network card is bridged to your physical NIC you can either connect using HyperV's console to the VM or using remote desk connection from the host. If you have admin privileges with your user account u can reset the password. And don't set it as a blank password I am not sure that could work. I think it's the easiest way. Good luck.MCTS...

Hey PJHANSON, Thank you very much! This was a huge help! Thanks Again, Mr Mister

Hi jeacklayten, I purchased the Windows Password Recovery It does not work. When I tried to change the location of where the windows file is located, the Windows Password Recovery interface is grayed out and it is pointing to the drive where the software is. Can you help? I contacted support at Windows Password Recovery, however, there have not given me a resolution,

Dude, Try PJHANSON's answer. Worked fine for me and I've tried it now 3 times. Boot to installation media and get a cmd prompt The catch is that you have to note which drive letter is mounted. In the case below, it was D not C. Run the following commands: copy c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe.old copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\magnify.exe Reboot I then selected the magnifier tool which launched cmd.exe and did the following to reset the password: Net user %username% %password% Note that if you check permissions with “whoami,” you’ll see: Nt Authority\system I then rebooted: shutdown -r -t 10 -f -c "Password Reset" -d p:4:1 Make sure to clean up after yourself by re-copying the magnifier.exe…you’ll need to reboot and boot with the CD all over again and go to a cmd prompt to do it.

Do you have another administrator user account? You can use it to reset other accounts password. Contact with Microsoft for help, this maybe a little waste of time but they can help you. Or you can google for a password Recovery tool to help reset Windows 2008 local or domain admin password. I have heard that Windows Password Rescuer Advanced can reset password instantly. Windows password reset by four steps!More about:Windows 7 password reset,Windows Vista password reset, Windows XP password reset.

Hi jeacklayten, I purchased the Windows Password Recovery It does not work. When I tried to change the location of where the windows file is located, the Windows Password Recovery interface is grayed out and it is pointing to the drive where the software is. Can you help? I contacted support at Windows Password Recovery, however, there have not given me a resolution, I tried the methods described in windows server 2008 r2 forgot administrator password?. It worked file and helped me reset windows server 2008 domain administrator password easily.