How to change the Administrator password on a Windows VPS

Why change it

The first password was created for you and has been displayed or emailed at least once. Setting your own means only you know it. It is also the single most useful security step.

Change it from inside Remote Desktop

1. Connect to your server with Remote Desktop.
2. Inside the session, press Ctrl + Alt + End. This is the Remote Desktop version of Ctrl + Alt + Delete, which your own PC would grab instead.
3. Choose Change a password.
4. Enter the old password, then the new one twice.
5. Press Enter.

You will see a message when it is done.

Another way

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Computer Management.
2. Open Local Users and Groups, then Users.
3. Right-click Administrator and choose Set Password.
4. Enter the new password and confirm.

Windows warns that resetting a password can cause some data loss for encrypted files. For a normal server this is fine, but read the message first.

Pick a strong password

• 16 characters or more
• not used on any other site or service
• no names, dates or common words
• created and stored in a password manager

After you change it

• Update your saved connection. Remote Desktop apps remember the old password, so edit the saved entry and enter the new one.
• Save the new password safely. The password shown in your FOMZE dashboard may still be the original one, so do not rely on it. A password manager is the best place for the new one.
• Test it. Disconnect, then connect again with the new password before you close everything.

If you forget the new password

If you lose it and cannot log in, contact support. We can help you regain access to your server.