How to Reset MikroTik RouterBOARD Admin Password Without Resetting the Configuration

Key Limitation

This trick works only with RouterBOARDs produced before mid 2018 (with factory RouterOS 6.42.12 and older)

Technical Background

Older RouterOS versions stored credentials insecurely in plain text. MikroTik improved security in later versions:

Version	Storage
6.42 and earlier	Insecure plain-text storage
6.43-6.44	Transitional dual storage system
6.45+	Modern secure storage only; legacy storage wiped, admin password reset to empty

The Solution Method

Use the Netinstall tool to downgrade RouterOS from version 6.45+ back to version 6.42, which bypasses modern security storage and utilizes the legacy storage with an empty admin password, granting system access.

Warning

Try this trick on a test device before resetting in real installations. Test carefully before applying to production equipment.