How can I reset the local Administrator password for a Windows Vista client connected to a domain?

Question

I have a Windows Vista client computer that is connected to a Windows Domain. I can login with the user account for DOMAIN\user1 and also with the Domain Administrator account DOMAIN\Administrator but the local Administrator account is locked. And I need to log in to the local Administrator account to connect the client computer to another domain controller.

How can I reset the local Administrator password for a Windows Vista client connected to a domain?

The server is a Windows SBS 2003.

Solution 1

You dont have do disconnect the client from the domain first. Log on with your domain admin-user, and bring up computer management (Right-click "My computer"-->"Manage")

In Computer Management, go to "Local Users and Groups"-->Users. Right-click the administrator and choose "Set Password". Also, make sure the account is enabled if you want to use it (In Vista, by default, the account is disabled).

Solution 2

To reset the local admin account, logon with the domain administrator account (which should be a member of the local admin group) and change the local admin password, you should then be able to login with that account.

Comments

[Sam Cogan]

If he removes the PC from the domain before he resets the local admin account it is likely he will get locked out of the machine when he reboots.

[SpacemanSpiff]

The other poster is correct. Removing from the domain first will cause him some pain.