How do I log back into my Azure VM I don't know the local Domain name?

JK101 0

I have a VM on my Azure Tenant I have not logged into for over a year, and I cannot remember the local domain name to log into it. e.g. domian\username I did reset the username and password, but I still cannot log on because it seems I do not have the correct domain name. How do I get the correct domain name? I tried using certain commands but failed.

kobulloc-MSFT 26,246 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-02-29T20:28:02.21+00:00

Hello, @Johan Kleynhans ! Please take a moment to accept answers to let us know that your question has been addressed. If you still have questions, please let us know what is needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!

2 answers

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-28T23:22:34.69+00:00

Hi Johan,

When connecting, have you tried .\username ? If not, please try it. Make sure you use the username that you reset the password for. I'm assuming this server isn't a domain controller.

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful. Add a comment below if you still need assistance after trying above suggestion.

Thanks.

-TP
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JK101 0 Reputation points

2024-02-29T16:01:21.9966667+00:00

I tried this and tried this gain, which did not resolve my problem.

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T16:47:32.0333333+00:00

Thanks. What is the precise error message you are seeing when you attempt to connect?

Do you have reason to believe this VM is joined to a Window Active Directory domain? I ask because you mentioned it. Note there would need to be a domain controller or Entra ID Domain Services available for this, so if neither of those are present then it is more likely it is not joined to domain.

Note you can see the VM's computername by navigating to the VM in the portal -- Overview tab, scroll down a bit on right hand area, it is under Properties tab "Computer name". When connecting, you can try to specify the computername instead of ., similar to below:

computername\username

It's worth a try, but I'm thinking there is something else preventing the login

JK101 0 Reputation points

2024-02-29T17:47:11.32+00:00

It is not joined to any domain, but I don't know the Server's name, so I cannot log into it.
I reset the user and password. I tried many commands but could not find one that could show me the name of the Server Name. Am I missing something obvious?

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T18:00:49.9133333+00:00

The server name of a windows VM is on the Overview blade of the VM in the portal. In below screenshot, you can see the name is vm1

JK101 0 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:19:20.5966667+00:00

This was obvious, thanks. But strangely, I still cannot get into the VM.

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:29:30.0166667+00:00

That is what I was afraid of. Reason is, the first suggestion I gave you, to use .\username, doesn't require you to know the server name (assuming things are functioning normally).

What do you have on this VM that you need? I ask because, you can perform a ton of additional steps like gathering the various logs from server and client, checking/resetting more things within the VM using powershell, etc., taking potentially hours of your time.

Or, if you tell me you only need some files off the VM, I could tell you how to do that, which doesn't require connecting to the VM with Remote Desktop. Once you have the files you need you could create a new VM if needed, copy them on/configure whatever workloads were on original VM, and delete old VM.

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:31:54.09+00:00

In addition, in case you weren't already aware, there are cases where you can get "logon attempt failed" or similar error messages that seem to indicate you aren't using correct credentials, when that isn't the underlying issue.

JK101 0 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:32:42.4766667+00:00

I think that is the correct strategy to follow. I have wasted far to much time on this. Thank you for your time and effort.

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:35:24.95+00:00

What operating system version is this? I can give you one last "trick" to try and connect using RDP. Basically, you'll disable NLA via powershell command in the portal, and then set the .rdp file on the client to NOT use NLA when connecting.
The result will be you will see the server screen, as if you were sitting in front of it, and manually enter username/password into the screen. Give me a few minutes and I'll post the steps.

TP 90,556 Reputation points

2024-02-29T19:43:57.1833333+00:00

On the client PC, open the .rdp file that you use to connect to the VM using Notepad. Add below line to the file and save it:

enablecredsspsupport:i:0

In the portal, navigate to the VM, on left click on Run command blade. On the right hand side, click on DisableNLA, then when slide out window pops up, click Run button. Wait for it complete running the command

On the client, double-click on the .rdp file you edited above. You should get a warning, you want to click through that. After several seconds, you should see the server screen with box for username/password. Attempt to logon.

Please let me know the results. The above should only take about 5 minutes to try.
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kobulloc-MSFT 26,246 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-02-29T18:49:33.02+00:00

Hello, @Johan Kleynhans !

We received your feedback and want to make sure your question is answered.

How do I log into my VM after resetting my username and password?

If I remember correctly, it may vary slightly depending on the OS you are connecting from and the OS you are connecting to. In my repro below I am connecting from Windows 11 to a Windows 10 VM. I've reset the password and I'm asked for a username and a password. If I select More choices and then Use a different account I'm asked for an email address and a password (the username is used in place of the email address).

If you have a specific OS that you are trying to connect to, I can reproduce the RDP connection for you.

Initial password prompt

I hope this has been helpful! Your feedback is important so please take a moment to accept answers to let us know that your question has been addressed. If you still have questions, please let us know what is needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!
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How do I log back into my Azure VM I don't know the local Domain name?

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