To strengthen your serverโs security, we recommend you change your default username (Administrator) on your VPS or dedicated server. This guide is here to walk you through the process of changing your username on your server!
Important: Itโs absolutely critical to remember your new administrator username. We can reset the password for your Windows VPS/dedicated server, but recovering a forgotten username requires either a complete and total operating system reinstallation or a restoration from an earlier backup.
1
From the get-go, youโll be launching PowerShell with administrative privileges. In the Windows Search bar, go ahead and type โPowerShell.โ Then, right-click the application and click Run as administrator. This gives you additional privileges in the program!
2
Now that youโve got PowerShell open, copy and paste this command into the program while swapping out CurrentUsername for your current username (likely Administrator) and NewUsername for the name you want to change it to:
Rename-LocalUser -Name "CurrentUsername" -NewName "NewUsername"- Hereโs an example: letโs say your current username is Administrator and you want it to be HelpdeskChartVPS, then youโd want to run this command:
Rename-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" -NewName "HelpdeskChartVPS"
3
Once that executes successfully, PowerShell will return to the command prompt without displaying an error message. At this time, restart your VPS or dedicated server so the changes take effect. Then, use your shiny new username to reconnect!
Confused by any of these steps or just need help with your server in general? Our friendly support team is available 24/7!
