Changing Default Administrator Password During Unattended Setup

ID: Q153197

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51

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.

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.

Copy i386\System32\Initial.inf to Initial.bak.

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.

Save Initial.inf and close the file.

Run Unattended Setup.

Additional query words: prodnt unattend admin user


Keywords          : kbsetup ntsetup nthowto ntreskit NTSrvWkst 
Version           : 3.1 3.5 3.51
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 23, 1999