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.
  • 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.

Options for Students, Faculty and Staff

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 enrolling in 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. https://www.mcgill.ca/cybersafe/two-factor-authentication-2fa


Use one of the 4 options below to change or reset your McGill Password.  

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

SSPR is one of the benefits of adding additional security to your McGill account by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). 2FA requires verifying your identity using a second method when accessing Office 365 apps off campus.

SSPR 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.  For detailed instructions on resetting your password with SSPR, see the IT Knowledge Base article Reset my McGill password with Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR).

NOTE:

  • SSPR is available only to users who have enabled 2FA. If you do not know your McGill Password, but know your Minerva PIN and can answer your security question, see the section Change your McGill Password in Minerva below. ​​​​​​
  • If you have a staff (first.last [at] mcgill.ca) and student account (first.last [at] mail.mcgill.ca), your password will not be synced using this method.
  • Ensure that the new password meets McGill Password requirements. The system will reject passwords that are considered weak.
  • If the self-service password reset procedure fails, contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.

Microsoft Password Update Portal

NOTE:

  • This option is not recommended if you have both student and staff accounts. In this case you are advised to change your password in Minerva (instructions below).
  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. The system will reject passwords that are considered weak.
  5. Confirm the new password.
  6. See the Next Steps checklist below.
     

Windows computer (on campus)

This procedure changes the McGill Password associated with the account you are currently logged into on the McGill network.

NOTE:

  • This option is not recommended if you have both student and staff accounts. In this case you are advised to change your password in Minerva (instructions below). 
  1. Log into the McGill-managed workstation 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.
 


Change your McGill Password in Minerva

You can also use this method to "reset" your McGill Password if you know your Minerva PIN, or can answer your Minerva security question.

  1. Log into Minerva (follow the onscreen instructions if you don't know your McGill Password)
  2. Once logged in, go to the Personal menu and click on Password for McGill Username.
  3. Enter a new McGill Password according to the onscreen instructions. Re-enter the new Password and click Submit New Password.
  4. See the Next Steps checklist below.

NOTE: It may take up to 5 minutes for your new Password to take effect. Your McGill Password will be automatically synced if you have staff and student accounts.

Option for Affiliates and 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 to change your password in Minerva (instructions below).
  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 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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