Changing Your System/Computer Logon Password

We recommend that you change your Computer Logon password (the password you enter when you start your computer) so that it matches the password you use for your UWL 8.4 account. This is true even if you do not have a user name on your computer that matches your 8.4.

This will help you ensure that network drives, etc. work correctly. It will also enhance your desktop security and make it easier to remember by minimizing the number of passwords that you have. Every time you change your 8.4 password, complete the following steps for the proper Operating System below to change your computer password as well.

Operating System

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Mac OS X

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    Windows XP

    To change the password you use to login your Windows XP account:

    1. Click the "Start" menu.
    2. Select "Control Panel" (On some computers, select "Settings" and then "Control Panel")
    User Accounts-XP   or   User Accounts-XP
    3. When the Control Panel appears, double-click "User Accounts"
    4. When the "User Accounts" window appears, click your account name
    5. Click "Change my password"  (If you do not currently have a logon password, you will have to choose "Create a password")
    6.  Follow the on-screen instructions to type in your current password and new password.  You must type your new password twice.  Optionally, you can enter a hint for Windows XP to display in case you forget your password.

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    Windows Vista

    1. Click the "Start" menu
    Control Panel
    2. Select "Control Panel"
    User Accounts
    3. Select "User Accounts"
    Change Password
    4. Click "Change your Windows password"  (If you do not currently have a logon password, you will have to choose "Create a password")
    Change Password
    5. Click "Change your password"  (If you do not currently have a logon password, you will have to choose "Create a password")
    6. Follow the on-screen instructions to type in your current password and new password.  You must type your new password twice

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    Mac OS X

    System Preferences
    1. Click on the Apple Menu in the upper left and select "System Preferences..."
    Users
    2. Select "Accounts" under the "System" Section of "System Preferences"
    3. In the "Accounts" window, make sure your username is selected on the left side
    OS X Password Change
    4. Click on "Change Password" and follow the on screen instructions to change your Mac OS X User Password.  Be sure you're typing in the "New Password" for a second time in the "Verify" blank.

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