Change or Reset Your Tufts Password
Passwords can be changed on campus or off campus:
- On Campus – Make sure you are connected to the Tufts_Secure wireless network OR connected to a registered ethernet port in a Tufts University campus building.
- Off Campus – You must connect to the Tufts VPN (virtual private network) via the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.
When Changing or Resetting Your Tufts Password:
The following tips will make changing or recovering your password easier and are strongly recommended:
- If possible, change your Tufts Password while you are on campus and connected to the Tufts network.
- Change your password while using your primary Tufts computer.
- When you have finished changing your password, restart your computer.
- Have all of your mobile devices (iPhone, Android phone, iPad, tablet, etc.) available. If these devices are configured to access Tufts email, the Tufts Password will need to be updated in each device's setting. If you change your Tufts Password on your primary computer but do not change it on smart devices, your Tufts account may become locked.
How To Change or Reset Your Tufts Password
The process for changing your password depends on whether you have a Tufts-owned computer and the type of Tufts account you have. When choosing a new password, be sure to conform to the Tufts Complex Password Standards below.
- If you have a Tufts-Owned Computer (Mac or Windows): You will begin by changing your password on your Tufts-owned device. Then, if necessary, you will also update your password in TuftsTools. Follow the steps for your computer type below.
- If you do not have a Tufts-Owned Computer, you will only update your password in TuftsTools. Follow the steps below in the Changing Your Password in TuftsTools instructions.
After you've changed your password, be sure to update your password on any other apps (Outlook, Box, etc.) and devices (secondary computers, smartphones and tablets, etc) that are configured to access your Tufts accounts. Some apps may automatically prompt you to enter your new login credentials. More information is at connecting your Tufts Outlook email to various apps/devices.
Passwords must contain:
- A minimum of 10 characters and a maximum of 32 characters.
- Characters from at least three of the following four categories:
- Uppercase alphabet characters (A-Z)
- Lowercase alphabet characters (a-z)
- Base 10 digits (0-9)
- Non-alphanumeric characters ( !@#$%^&*()-_+=;:´"}{[]|\`~))
Passwords cannot contain:
- Passwords cannot contain parts of your account name or your full name that exceed two consecutive characters
- Password history: Your previous 5 passwords are invalid and cannot be re-used
Note: If you have an Apple ID logged in on the computer, changing the password on a Local or Domain account will NOT change the password to your Apple ID account!
First: Determine if you have a Domain or Local Account
Whether you have a Domain account or Local account determines the steps you need to take to reset your Tufts password.
- On your Mac, open System Preferences.
- Navigate to Users & Groups.
- Check if your account has the “Mobile” tag under your name. If it does, that means the account is a Domain account. If the tag only says “Standard” or “Admin” and does not say “Mobile”, then the account you are using is only Local to that computer.
Second: Reset Your Mac Password
Regardless of if you have a domain or local account, you will need to reset the password you use to log on to your Mac computer. Follow the steps on macOS User Guide for Changing the Login Password on Mac.
- If you have a Domain account, these linked steps will change the login password on your Mac AND the password for your Tufts account. You are finished.
- If you have a Local account, these linked steps will change the login password on your Mac. Then, also follow the steps in the Changing your Password in TuftsTools section below.
First: Determine if you have a Domain or Local Account
Whether you have a Domain account or Local account determines the steps you need to take to reset your Tufts password.
- Navigate to the Control Panel and click on User Accounts.
- Click on User Accounts again.
- On the right, find the name of the logged in account.
- If you have a Domain account, you should see TUFTS\UTLN (e.g. TUFTS\bcosta03) under the account name. If you have a Local account, it will say “local account” under the account name.
Second: Reset Your Windows Password
Regardless of if you have a domain or local account, you will need to reset the password you use to log on to your Windows computer.
- Log in to the Windows machine with the account that you need to change the password for.
- Press the keyboard shortcut combination: “CTRL”, “ALT”, “DELETE”.
- Click on Change a Password.
- Type in your current password in the Old Password field. Then type in what you want your new password to be in the New Password field. Verify your new password in the Confirm Password field.
- When choosing a new password, be sure to conform to the Tufts Complex Password Standards above.
- Click Okay or Change Password and this will save the new password.
- To verify your password has changed, lock your Windows screen by holding the Microsoft Key and the L key and log back into Windows with your new password.
- If you have a Domain account, the above steps will change the login password on your Windows machine AND the password for your Tufts account. You are finished.
If you have a Local account, the above steps will change the login password on your Windows machine. Then, also follow the steps in the Changing your Password in TuftsTools section below.
TuftsTools is a self-service tool that allows users to do multiple things, including change their Tufts password.
Note: If you have a Tufts-owned computer with a Local account, TuftsTools will NOT update the login password for that device. See the previous sections for more information.
- Navigate to TuftsTools.
- Click Change my Tufts Password.
- If you do know your current Tufts password, select Yes, I know my current Tufts Password and follow the prompts.
- If you do not know your current Tufts password and are an affiliate, contact the IT Service Desk at 617-627-3376.
- If you do not know your current Tufts password and are staff, faculty, or student, click No, I don't know my current Tufts Password and follow the prompts. All fields in the presented forms are required.
- Once your Tufts password is reset, you should receive a confirmation email at your Tufts address. The new password will be reset for all online Tufts accounts that you have access to.