Danny Moran

How to reset the Directory Services Restore Mode administrator account password

Published August 27, 2022 by Danny Moran

Table of Contents
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Introduction

Learn how to reset the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) administrator password using ntdsutil. In this example, I show you how to use ntdsutil to reset the DSRM password for a local domain controller as well as a remote domain controller.

How to reset the Directory Services Restore Mode administrator account password video

How to reset DSRM password on a local domain controller

  1. Log onto the domain controller and open command prompt as administrator.

  2. Type ntdsutil and press enter

  3. Type set dsrm password and press enter

  4. Type reset password on server null and press enter

  5. Type the new DSRM password and press enter

  6. Type the new DSRM password again to confirm and press enter

  7. The DSRM password has been changed.

How to reset DSRM password on a remote domain controller

  1. Log onto the domain controller and open command prompt as administrator.

  2. Type ntdsutil and press enter

  3. Type set dsrm password and press enter

  4. Type reset password on server SERVERNAME and press enter

    Note: replace SERVERNAME with the hostname of the domain controller you want to reset the DSRM password on.

  5. Type the new DSRM password and press enter

  6. Type the new DSRM password again to confirm and press enter

  7. The DSRM password has been changed.