The following method has been tested to work on both Server 2003 and Server 2008 Domain Controllers
Download SRVANY and INSTSRV, which are part of the Windows 2003 Resource Kit
Ensure you have the Directory Service Restore Mode Administrator password, restart the server in Directory Service Restore Mode, and log in as administrator
If you do not have have the Administrator Password, you can attempt to get it through one of these methods
Create the folder: C:\reset\
Copy srvany.exe, instsrv, and cmd.exe(Located in C:\system32) to the C:\reset\
Open a command prompt and enter the following commands
CD “C:\reset”
instsrv PassRecovery “C:\reset\srvany.exe”
Run regedit.exe and navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\PassRecovery
Create a subkey called: Parameters
Create a new string value (REG_SZ)
Name: Application
Value: C:\reset\cmd.exe
Create a new string value (REG_SZ) where <password> is the desired password (Must Meet Password Policy Requirements)
Name: AppParameters
Value: /k net user administrator <password> /domain
Open Services and Open the Properties for the PassRecovery Service
On the General tab, ensure the startup type is Automatic
On the Log On tab, ensure the option is checked to: Allow service to interact with desktop
Restart the server normally, and log in with the password you specified
Uninstall SRVANY by entering the following commands at a command prompt: