Changing your password

Last updated: 2pm, Tuesday 1 August 2023

The only way to change your University IT account password is through the IT Account Manager.

If you are unsure whether a link to a password change page or message is legitimate, you can visit the IT Account Manager by typing https://iam.manchester.ac.uk/ into your web browser's address bar.

Before you begin

  • Do not use a password that you already use, or have ever used anywhere else before
  • Do not amend one character (such as adding a “1” or a symbol to your current password); you should use a completely unique password.

Step 1 – Reset your IT account password using the IT Account Manager

  1. Sign into the IT Account Manager. The only way to reset your University password is via the IT Account Manager at https://iam.manchester.ac.uk
  2. When you have signed in, click the Passwords tab
  3. Click Update in the row that contains University Password and follow the instructions on the page.

Password for your device (for example, desktop or laptop computer)

If your device is on-campus your new password will now be required to login / unlock it. To test, this lock the device (on your keyboard, press the Windows key and L) and then log in with your new password.

If you are off-campus you will likely need to continue to log in to your laptop with your old password until you connect to the network on campus when you can use the new password.

Stored passwords

Check all of your devices for any stored passwords and update them – for example, if you use a password manager on your computer or phone. 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. 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.

Step 2 – Change your eduroam Wi-Fi settings immediately afterwards

If you use the eduroam Wi-Fi network, you will need to change your eduroam settings to account for your new password, on all your eduroam-connected devices.

If you don’t change these settings immediately afterwards, your device may repeatedly try to connect using your old password, and this may temporarily lock your IT account.

If you’re using a Windows 10 laptop which has been set up by IT Services:

  1. Click the Windows icon
  2. Type Settings and press Enter
  3. Click Network and Internet, then WiFi, then Manage known networks, then eduroam, then forget. If you’re on campus, this will disconnect you from eduroam.
  4. When you’re on campus, click the Globe icon on the bottom right of your screen, then eduroam, then Connect.
  5. Enter your details. When setting up eduroam, enter the username in the format yourusername@manchester.ac.uk, where yourusername is your regular IT username; not your email address.
  6. Click Connect when asked if you want to connect

Updating your personally owned devices:

If you know how to do so, you can update your eduroam password in your phone’s Wi-Fi settings, however, you can also use the eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool (CAT) for personally owned computers or mobile devices. When setting up the CAT, remember to enter your username in the format yourusername@manchester.ac.uk, where “yourusername” is your regular IT username.

Visit the IT Services eduroam page for full details.

Further information

You may also find it useful to clear your saved passwords in your web browser. Instructions are available for Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari (external links).

A detailed knowledge base article including a step-by-step instructional video is available:

If you need further help, contact the IT Support Centre.