McGill.CA / IT Services / Information Security

McGill Password Reset Checklist

Although changing or resetting your password has the same effect, they are two completely different processes:

  • Password change: Use this method when you KNOW your current password and are already logged into your McGill account on your device.
  • Password reset: Use this method when you DON'T KNOW your current password because you have forgotten it, or you are locked out of your account.

Select from the options below to see the McGill Password change/reset options available to you and ensure that the new password meets McGill Password requirements. 

Options for Students, Faculty, Staff and Affiliates

Locked accounts

If you are locked out of your account and you haven’t enabled 2FA, you must wait 1 (one) hour before you can login again.

Trying to login again until this hour has passed will lock your account for a longer period.

Once your access is restored, we recommend enabling 2FA to take advantage of the features and benefit from the extra level of security, including the ability to unlock your account without the wait time. Visit the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Setup Instructions for more details.

Use one of the 3 options below to change or reset your McGill Password.  

Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) - Password reset

SSPR is a Microsoft feature that provides 2FA users with the ability to reset their own password if they have forgotten it or are locked out of their account. This procedure allows you to reset your own McGill Password by first verifying your identity using two of the authentication methods you set up when configuring 2FA. 

Important Note: If you have two McGill accounts, a staff (first.last [at] mcgill.ca) and student account (first.last [at] mail.mcgill.ca), you must reset the password for each account separately.

To reset your password, you must have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) set up. Follow the steps below based on your 2FA set up: 

Support:

If the Self-Service Password Reset procedure fails, or if you cannot enable 2FA or need assistance with resetting your password, please contact the IT Service Desk.
 

Windows computer (on campus) - Password change

This procedure changes your McGill Password associated with the McGill account you are currently logged into on your device. If you KNOW your password and already logged into your McGill account on your device, follow the steps below.

NOTE: Note: This option is not recommended if you have both student and staff accounts. In this case you are advised to reset your password using the instructions in Reset my McGill password with Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR).

  1. Log into the McGill-managed device with your McGill Username.
  2. Hold CTRL+ALT+DELETE and select "Change a password".
  3. Follow the prompts to set a new password. Ensure that the new password meets McGill Password requirements. The system will reject passwords that are considered weak.
  4. Log out and log back in again using your new McGill Password.
  5. See the Next Steps checklist below.

It may take a few minutes for your password change to take affect on all McGill systems.
 

Microsoft My Sign-Ins - Password change

This procedure changes your McGill Password associated with the McGill account you are currently logged into on your device. If you KNOW your password and already logged into your McGill account on your device, follow the steps below.

Note: This option is not recommended if you have both student and staff accounts. In this case you are advised to change your password for each account separately using the instructions in Reset my McGill password with Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR). 

  1. Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info/password/change 
  2. Enter your new password
  3. Submit
  4. See the Next Steps checklist below.

It may take a few minutes for your password change to take affect on all McGill systems.

Option for Resource Account Sponsors

Microsoft Password Update Portal

Note: This option is not recommended if you have both student and staff accounts. In this case you are advised change your password using the instructions in Reset my McGill password with Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR).

  1. Go to the portal's password update page.
  2. Enter your McGill Username.
  3. Enter your old password.
  4. Choose a new password that meets McGill Password requirements. Passwords that are considered weak will be rejected by the system.
  5. Confirm the new password.
  6. See the Next Steps checklist below.

Password reset checklist - next steps

Follow the steps below to avoid being locked out of email or other systems. Steps 1-4 are the most common; the remaining steps may only apply to certain individuals.

If you need additional assistance despite following these steps, please contact the IT Service Desk.

Click on each item to view the instructions:

1.  Restart your computer (for McGill Faculty & Staff)

Restart your computer as soon as possible and login with your new password. Your connections to email, departmental folders will now use the new password. 

If you use a laptop, do this step while you are connected to the McGill network. 

2.  Delete saved WiFi connections

If you have mobile devices (laptop/tablet/smartphone) that are configured to use McGill Wireless, you must delete the saved connections and then recreate them. Unless you perform this step, you may be unable to connect simply by entering the new password.

3.  Change McGill Password on Email apps

  • Most email applications will prompt you to enter your new password.
  • If you have McGill email set up on your mobile device (smartphone / tablet), you will have to manually change the password.

4.  Delete saved passwords in browsers

If you have saved your password for any McGill online systems in a browser, you will have to you will have to delete them.

5.  Optional: change other credentials (Minerva PIN, Banner INB password, ...)

Change your Minerva PIN

Note: These instructions are for users who know their current Minerva PIN.

  1. Log into Minerva.
  2. Go to Personal Menu | Minerva PIN.
  3. Follow the instructions to reset your PIN.
     

Verify/set your Minerva Security Question

  1. Go to Personal Menu | Minerva Security Question.
  2. If you already have a Security Question selected, ensure you know the response. Otherwise, select a new question and enter a response.
    Note: If you had previously entered a response you will not see it, you will only see the selected question.
     

(Staff only) Change your Password for Banner, ApplicationXtender, and the Data Warehouse

Although you can set this password to match your McGill Password, it is recommended that you create a different one for added security.

  1. In Minerva, go to Personal Menu | Password for Banner/Imaging/Data Warehouse.
  2. Follow the instructions to reset your password and click Submit to finish.
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