How to reset administrator password in Windows based machine

Hi everyone, it has been long since I last wrote or published a post, this time I will share some tips on how to reset administrator account password in windows machine / PC due to my recent encounter with Windows Server 2012 based VM which I lost track of the password I set. Below are the steps:

Instructions

1. Boot from the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 / related Windows DVD.
2. From the Windows Setup menu, click “Next”.
3. Select “Repair your computer”
4. Under Choose and option, click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. Under Advanced options, click “Command Prompt”.
6. At the command prompt, run the following commands (note: D is the drive where your actual system files located, you need to navigate to the correct drive):
   d:cd windows\system32ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.oldcopy cmd.exe Utilman.exe
   
7. Close the command prompt and then click “Continue”.
8. The server / PC should now boot and present the logon screen. Here click Windows Key + U.
9. At the prompt you can now change the password, by typing the following command:
   net user administrator Password123
   This will set the password for the Administrator user to be Password123 (case sensitive). You may set the password of your choice.
10. Close the command prompt by typing exit.
11. Login the administrator account using the password you set earlier (in step 9).

Cleanup Steps

1. Restart your server / PC and once again, boot from the Micrsoft Windows Server 2012 DVD.
2. From the Windows Setup menu, click “Next”.
3. Select “Repair your computer”
4. Under Choose and option, click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. Under Advanced options, click “Command Prompt”.
6. At the command prompt, run the following commands: (note: D is the drive where your actual system files located, you need to navigate to the correct drive):
   d:cd windows\system32ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.newcopy utilman.exe.old utilman.exe
7. Close the command prompt and then click “Continue”.

Hope this helps for those who unfortunately lost their administrator account password that they set and unable to login to windows. This step helps to quick rectify the issue without having to reformat or wipe the disk and install the OS again.