Changing Default Administrator Password During Unattended Setup (153197)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
This article was previously published under Q153197
The default password for the Administrator account created during Unattended Setup is "" (blank). Changing the default password requires modification of a Windows NT Setup file, Initial.inf.
  1. To make the necessary modifications, copy the I386 directory from the Windows NT compact disc to a hard disk drive.

    WARNING: Modification of Setup files can cause serious, system-wide problems before and after Setup and may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the modification of Setup files can be solved. Make Setup file modifications at your own risk.
  2. Copy i386\System32\Initial.inf to Initial.bak.
  3. Modify i386\System32\Initial.inf: 
    ;;; Setting the below variable to YES forces NTFS Conversion
        ifstr(i) $(STF_GUI_UNATTENDED) == YES
            set !STF_ADMIN_PASSWORD = "<MYPASSWORD>"
        else
            shell "" DoAdminAccountSetup
            ifstr(i) $($R0) == STATUS_SUCCESSFUL
                set !STF_ADMIN_PASSWORD = $($R1)
            else
                set !STF_ADMIN_PASSWORD = ""
            endif
        endif


    NOTE: Replace <MYPASSWORD> with your desired password.
  4. Save Initial.inf and close the file.
  5. Run Unattended Setup.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/9/2004
Keywords:kbhowto kbsetup KB153197
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