Overview

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Faculty, staff, and affiliates can follow these steps to reset their Active Directory (AD) password. The following article outlines how to reset your AD password if you are faculty or staff at UCSD. 

• Students: Go to "Reset your Student Account Password" for instructions on how to reset your password. 

Active Directory (AD) is used to access campus email, the UCSD-PROTECTED wireless network, the UCSD Virtual Private Network (VPN), academic computer labs, Canvas, and many office workstations.

Critical Concepts

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Active Directory (AD) passwords must meet the following requirements:

• Be different from any previous passwords
• Be at least 12 characters long
• Have characters from at least 3 of the following 4 categories: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
• Not contain any part of your username or full name

If you have a hard time creating a secure password and remembering it, try using LastPass. Learn more about how to take advantage of LastPass Enterprise offered by UCSD on our LastPass Blink Page.

Steps to Take

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1. Navigate to the Active Directory password change tool (www.password.ucsd.edu)
2. Enter your Active Directory (AD) username and click Continue
   
   • Your username is usually the first part of your UCSD email address, e.g. gbluefin@ucsd.edu (do not include the "@ucsd.edu" part)
     
     
3. Faculty, staff, and affiliates will select from a list of options to reset the Active Directory (AD) password. Students please go to "Reset your Student Account Password" for more in-depth instructions. 
   
   
4. Pick from the two options given
   • "I know my current AD password and would like to change it." - pick this option if you already know your current password or were given a temporary password to change. 
   • "I would like to use personal information (employee ID, SSN, and birthday) to change my AD password." - pick this option if you do not your current password. 
5. Follow the below steps based on the option you chose. 

I know my Password and would like to change it

1. Once you press the option "I know my password and would like to change it", the page will prompt you to log in via SSO. Log in using your username and your current password. 
2. Authenticate using Duo.
   • If you are unable to use Duo, refer to our documentation on Reactivate Duo Push for information on how to reactivate your Duo.
3. Enter your current password and your new password as prompted. 
4. Once the password is successfully reset, please note that the password change may take up to 15 minutes to go into effect.

I would like to use personal information (employee ID, SSN, and birthday) to change my AD password.

1. Enter your personal information when prompted.
   • Note: Make sure your birthday is year, month, and date and follows the format in the instructions. 
     
2. Authenticate using Duo. 
   • If you are unable to use Duo, refer to our documentation on Reactivate Duo Push for information on how to reactivate your Duo.
3. Enter your new password when prompted. 
4. Once your password is successfully reset, please note that the password change may take up to 15 minutes to go into effect.