If you are dealing with a standalone installation—or an endpoint that lost contact with the ESET PROTECT server—you have two legitimate ways to reset the password.
If the endpoint is managed by an ESET PROTECT On-Prem or ESET PROTECT Cloud console, local users cannot usually change the password manually. The password is enforced via a policy.
To reset the password for ESET Endpoint Security , the method depends on whether the device is managed by a central console (like ESET PROTECT ) or is a standalone "unmanaged" installation. ESET Security Forum Managed Clients (via ESET PROTECT)
If the computer is managed by an administrator, the password can be reset or removed remotely through a policy change. ESET Knowledgebase Open the Console : Log in to ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem. Edit Policy : Navigate to
, select the policy applied to the target computer, and click Access Setup User Interface and expand Access Setup Modify Password Password protected settings , enter a new password, and click to disable password protection entirely.
. The changes will apply the next time the client connects to the server. ESET Knowledgebase Unmanaged Clients (Standalone) eset endpoint security password reset
For standalone installations where you have forgotten the password, you must use the built-in Restore Password ESET Knowledgebase Access Advanced Setup : Open ESET Endpoint Security and press Advanced setup Initiate Restore : When the password prompt appears, click Restore Password Choose Recovery Method
: Enter the email address used for license registration and click . You will receive a verification code via email. Via ESET Technical Support Generate code for Technical Support . Send this code to ESET Technical Support to receive an unlock verification code. Enter Code
: Once you have the verification code, paste it into the field. Leave the new password fields blank to remove it, or enter a new one to reset it, then click ESET Knowledgebase Special Cases (Encryption & Servers) ESET PROTECT Web Console
: If you've lost access to the management console itself, use the Reset the ESET PROTECT On-Prem Password
utility or the "Repair" option in the Windows Control Panel to set a new administrator password. Endpoint Encryption (EEE) If you are dealing with a standalone installation—or
: For managed encryption users, the administrator can generate a recovery password from the ESET Endpoint Encryption Server FDE Logins ESET Knowledgebase Are you currently locked out of a specific workstation, or are you trying to reset the main administrator console
If you know the existing password and simply wish to change it, this can be done directly within the client interface.
For Windows:
For macOS:
If your endpoints are managed by a central ESET PROTECT server, the local password may be overridden by a server policy. In this case, resetting the local password is useless; you must change the policy on the server. Save the policy
Critical Note: If your device is managed by a company server, do not follow local reset guides without consulting your network admin. You could break the encryption handshake with the server.
ESET offers password recovery assistance but requires proof of purchase:
Support will provide a one-time-use script that disables the password for 24 hours. This is the safest approach for business-critical machines.
Resetting the password for ESET Endpoint Security is a straightforward process that can be completed using one of the methods outlined in this guide. If you encounter any issues during the process, contact ESET support for further assistance.