How to reset the default SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Admin password

During the install of the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server, you’re prompted to ‘Set the default admin login password’:

SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Configuration

Then when creating a new vault, you’re provided options to either set the default password or create a new ‘specific’ SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Admin Password:

Create New Vault – Use default or set vault specific admin password

If (like in the above screenshot) you opt to create a SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Admin Password, this can sometimes lead to the default password getting lost or forgotten.  The default password is useful if you ever need to reset a vault specific password, or have multiple vaults and want to keep the password consistent.  In the following article, we’re going to look at how to reset a default password if it is ever lost or forgotten.

How To Reset the Default Admin password

• Login to the archive server with local administrative permissions
• Open the registry editor
  • Start > Run > regedit

Run > regedit

WARNING: Please be very careful when editing or deleting any entries in the Windows Registry as changing the wrong entry can lead to major issues on your system.

• Navigate to; HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\ConisioUsers
• Delete the key ‘Admin’

Delete Admin key

• Start the Archive Server Configuration Tool
  • Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Archive Server Configuration

Start > Archive Server Configuration

• Archive Server Configuration Tool > Tools > Default Settings

Archive Server Configuration > Tools > Default Settings

• Login Page > Admin User > Password
  • Enter the new password
  • Note; The current password will be blank at this point.

Default Settings > Admin user > Password

• After hitting OK the ‘Admin’ key will be recreated in the registry and the new password set

Admin key is recreated