How to reset local Administrator password for Windows Server (EXSi VM)

Phase 1 : Change Boot Option from EXSi

• Select which VM (Windows Server) that you want to reset the admin password and go to Edit tab.

• Mount the Windows installation ISO . In my case I use Win Server 2016 Standard ISO. and tick Connect check button and Save .

• Now, click VM Option tab, At Boot Option, Choose BIOS for firmware boot the VM.
• Set Boot delay to 1000
• Tick check button The next time the virtual machine boots, force entry into the BIOS setup Screen.  and click Save. 

Phase 2 : Configure Boot Sequence from BIOS

• Power On the VM , I recommend to use VMRC Application. Now the VM should be boot into BIOS
• Choose Boot > CD-ROM Drive and Press F10 Button to save and exit and restart the VM

Phase 3 : Getting to command prompt

• Once the VM boot up, Press Enter to Access Windows Setup [EMS Enabled]

• Select Language, Time and Keyboard and Next.
•  Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt 

Use this command : 

D:  [Enter]
dir  [Enter]
cd windows  [Enter]
cd system32  [Enter] 
ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.old  [Enter]
copy cmd.exe utilman.exe  [Enter]

• Now, restart the VM and boot the windows. (You need to verify at boot sequence. Make sure default is back to Hard Drive)

Phase 4 : Resetting Password

• Once Windows is boot up, from login Profile area, click Easy of access icon. 

• command prompt for utilman.exe is show up. 
• use the command to reset the administrator password

net user administrator abc123

• Done, now switch to Other User use Username as administrator and the latest password that you key-in before

Note : if login with username administrator not success, Please use .\administrator and new password

Phase 5 : Restoring Utilman.exe

• Use same step from Phase 1 , Phase 2  and Phase 3
• Use this command 

d:  [Enter]
cd windows  [Enter]
cd system32  [Enter]
ren Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.new  [Enter]
copy Utilman.exe.old Utilman.exe  [Enter]
exit  [Enter]

• Now, restart the VM and boot the windows. (You need to verify at boot sequence. Make sure default is back to Hard Drive)