How to Generate New SID in Windows Server 2016 & 2019

If you cloned a Windows Server installation or VM you will have to sometimes generate a new SID. This usually occurs with VMware ESXI, Workstation, Fusion, Proxmox, and other virtual machine servers and software. If 2 systems have the same SID this will show errors trying to join domains or host services.

The System Preparation tool (Sysprep) is a utility used for deployment purposes, but can be used to generate a new system SID with little to no loss of Windows data or settings.

 

 

From your Windows Server Desktop,

 

Press Start+R at the same time and will open Run, or open the start menu and type “run” (without “”)

 

From the “Run” program type: Sysprep and press “ok”

If the above method dose not work you can type: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep and press “ok”

or navigate to the directory: “C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep”

 

Open “sysprep” as an administrator (right click, run as admin)

 

In the System Preparation Tool:

In System Cleanup Action section select:

"Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)"

check the “Generalize” box, this removes specific settings like SID

In Shutdown Options section select:

"Reboot"

 

Click OK and your new SID will be generated.

 

Once system reboots, login once more and follow the steps to change the Administrator password, Hostname and IP Address.

You have successfully generated new SID.