Changing your password

Before you start

• You need to know your current password in order to use this method. If you can’t remember your password, please use our password reset instructions instead.
• You need to have set up MultiFactor Authentication. If you haven't you will need to contact DTS to get your password reset.
• If you are on campus, it is best to do this on a wired connection as you need to disconnect from Eduroam. Alternatively this can be done at home using your home network.  
• Don't be in a rush. It can take up to 20 minutes for your new password to synchronise, and some business systems take longer. If your new password is still not being accepted after an hour, please log a call to let us know. 

Eduroam

We recommend you forget the Eduroam network on all your mobile devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet) to prevent your account from locking due to Eduroam repeatedly trying to auto-connect using the old password (if you have the Geteduroam or Marvis app you will need to uninstall the app to be able to forget the network). Then rejoin the Eduroam network using your new password.

VPN

If you are a member of staff with a UoR managed laptop and are not on campus, you should connect to VPN for a short period after you've changed your password to allow systems to update with your new password. Click here for more info on accessing VPN (staff only). If you don't ever connect to any systems via VPN from home, you don't need to do this.

Password requirements

Your new password will need to meet these password requirements:

• Must be a minimum of 12 characters in length (longer is better). 
• Must not contain your username.
• Must contain characters from three of the following categories : uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• Should not contain repetitive or sequential characters e.g. ‘AaAa’ or ‘1234’
• Should not be a password that has been used before, or a variant of the password that has been used before with the addition of a character (e.g. changing Password1 to Password2).

 A good way to create a strong and memorable password is to use a passphrase or three random words e.g. ‘CoffeeTrainFish29’ and ‘8RedHouseMonkeys’. 

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Close all programmes you have open on your computer and any other devices (e.g. Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Step 2: Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info and login/authenticate

• If you are asked to, login use your University IT username and your current password. Your University IT username is in the format username@reading.ac.uk (e.g. ab123456@reading.ac.uk). It is not your email address. 
• Authenticate via Microsoft Authenticator if asked.

Step 3: Now you have reached the Security Info page, which shows you how old your password is and gives you the option to change it.

Step 4: Now to choose your new password. Make sure the password you choose is strong.Click the link saying “Change” which pops up a new “Change your password” window. Type in your new password and then type it in again to confirm.

Step 7: Click “Submit” and you should get the next screen “Success, password changed.”

Step 8: Click Done. You have successfully changed your password.

Step 9: You may temporarily get locked out of your IT account if you have a device which is repeatedly trying to login to University services with your old password. To avoid this, we recommend you sign out of everywhere which will force a sign in with your new password.

What to do next?

Update your password on other devices

We use Single Sign On (i.e. you use your UoR account credentials to log in to many different UoR systems) for Staff Portal, Blackboard, AppsAnywhere etc., so you may have your old password saved in other places. Where you are logged into Microsoft 365 apps such as Outlook and Teams you might need to log out and then back in again with your new password.

Update password managers

If you use a password manager (we don’t recommend storing usernames and passwords in your browser) you will need to update your password here too.

Set up Multifactor Authentication (if you haven't already)

For more information on MultiFactor Authentication, please see our Remote Working page, and to set up Multifactor Authentication go to our Guide to setting up MFA.

Troubleshooting

First of all - be patient

It can take 20 minutes for your new password to replicate across all M365 applications (and some other systems take longer), and you may be asked to sign in again to e.g. Outlook or OneDrive for Business. If after 30 minutes you still can’t sign in, raise a call with the IT Service Desk.

Can’t get on Wi-Fi

We recommend you forget the Eduroam network on all your mobile devices, and then rejoin the Eduroam network using your new password. To set up Eduroam, go to our Wifi - connect to Eduroam page.

Can't access xyz service with my new password

If you have saved passwords in your browser or a password manager, we recommend signing out of everywhere so you have to sign in again with the new password. You can do this from the Security Info page from where you changed your password. 

Locked out of my account but I've updated my password

Check all of your devices for any stored passwords and update them – for example, if you use a password manager on your phone. Where you are logged into Microsoft 365 apps such as Outlook and Teams on another device you might need to log out and then back in again with your new password.

You may temporarily get locked out of your IT account if you have a device which is repeatedly trying to login to University services with your old password.

Need help?

If you have any problems, please contact the Service Desk by emailing dts@reading.ac.uk or calling 0118 378 6262, or you can visit us on the First Floor of the Library at Whiteknights.

Page updated by lm920207 on 16/02/26