What is the default administrator password?

Question

Sorry if this is an overly simplistic question, but I'm a bit stuck here.

I need a Windows machine for me to do some programming for class. Since I have my Macbook with me everywhere I go, I figured that it would be easiest to install a VM. Since I can get a copy of Windows Server 2k3 for free via dreamspark, I thought I'd try to do that.

Here's what happened though: I installed Windows Server (disk one). When the system booted up, VMware automatically installed VMWare tools and prompted me to restart. There was also a prompt to start the installation of disc 2, but I figured it would be better to restart before doing that.

When the machine came back up, I was prompted to log in as the administrator. The problem is that I wasn't prompted to make an administrator account or password. Is there a default password I can use? I've tried all the obvious ones (blank, password, etc) and Googling, but I didn't come up with anything.

Answer 1

The correct password is Evaluation1. Just look in the readme file

Answer 2

You haven't put any work into modifying the system, so just start over. You'll probably spend more time trying to find a password solution than just reinstalling the OS.

As an aside, I suggest making a copy of your virtual disk after a fresh working install, so you don't have to actually install if you do want a fresh machine.

Answer 3

Free password recovery tools:

1. Windows Password recovery - Can retrieve forgotten admin and users' passwords in minutes. Safest possible option, does not write anything to hard drive.

2. Petter Nordahl-Hagen's Offline NT Password & Registry Editor - A great boot CD/Floppy that can reset the local administrator's password. See the FAQ for more info.

3. Openwall's John the Ripper - Good boot floppy with cracking capabilities.

4. EBCD – Emergency Boot CD - Bootable CD, intended for system recovery in the case of software or hardware faults.

But as others have said, you have nothing invested in this install -- easier to just blow it away and start over.

Answer 4

During the Windows Server 2003 installation process you are required to enter an Administrator password. If the installation was interrupted part way through, I suggest that you just re-install it.

Answer 5

you could always use ERDCommander from Microsoft to 'reset' the administrator password, it is a free program and works great.

Answer 6

Since you have access to the "machine", you could try cracking the password with Ophcrack. But really, I agree with everyone else: just reinstall.

Answer 7

I know this post is probably closed, but just in case anyone finds this thread in the future, I had the same problem and finally figured it out--

When you originally setup the VM before it installed, it gave you the option to customize it with a unquie username and password. Let's take this for example:

username = matt
password = p@ssword

After the stupid VM tools installs and reboots the server, the username is Administrator, but the password was set to whatever you filled out. In this example:

username = Administrator
password = p@ssword

Answer 8

I had the same problem but I found the Solution! In the main window of VMWare it has the options: Suspend, Options, Getting Started. Choose Getting Started and you have all the info. The password is given there:

Username:         Administrator
Password:         Evaluation1

Goodluck