How to Reset the SmarterMail Administrator Password

How to Reset the SmarterMail Administrator Password

If the SmarterMail system administrator password has been lost or forgotten, it can be reset directly on the server by editing the configuration files used by SmarterMail. This process requires local server access and should only be performed by an authorized system administrator.

SmarterMail securely stores passwords using salted cryptographic hashing rather than reversible encryption. Because of this, passwords cannot be recovered—only reset.

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Important Notes Before You Begin

• You must have access to the SmarterMail server (Windows or Linux).

• The SmarterMail service must be stopped before editing configuration files.

• This process resets the administrator password; it does not reveal the old one.

• Always back up configuration files before making changes.

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Default Administrator Password Hash

To reset the administrator password, SmarterMail allows you to replace the existing password hash with a known default value.

Default Admin Password Hash:

Password: admin

1000:7Zf5bDhx+pB+3pSt9bFzbnnn9uiZi25P:+esCLUvFa/lw8c1+UMk+guGeHFfQ7Asc

Once this hash is applied, you can log in and immediately set a new secure password.

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Resetting the Admin Password on Windows

Step 1: Stop the SmarterMail Service

1. Open Windows Services.

2. Locate SmarterMail.

3. Right-click and select Stop.

Step 2: Locate the Configuration File

Navigate to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\Service\Settings\administrators.json

(Some installations may store administrator settings under a Settings subfolder.)

Step 3: Edit the Admin Password Hash

1. Open administrators.json in a text editor such as Notepad++ (run as Administrator).

2. Locate the administrator account entry.

3. Replace the existing password hash with the default hash listed above.

4. Save the file.

Step 4: Restart SmarterMail

1. Return to Windows Services.

2. Start the SmarterMail service.

3. Log in to SmarterMail using the administrator account.

4. Immediately change the password to a strong, unique value.

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REFERENCES

• https://portal.smartertools.com/kb/a2739/reset-administrator-username-and-password.aspx%7D

• https://portal.smartertools.com/kb/a3718/reset-administrator-username-and-password-linux-.aspx%7D

• https://www.iqcomputing.com/support/articles/reset-forgotten-smartermail-password/