Overview

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Faculty, Staff, Students, 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. 

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. For common questions and solutions, try Resetting your AD Password FAQs.

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
   
3. Pick from the two options given:
   • "I know my current AD password and would like to change it." - This option should be used if you already know your current password, or were given a temporary password. 
   • "I am an employee/student and forgot my password." - This option should be used if you do not know your current password.
4. Follow the steps below based on the option you chose. 

I know my current AD password and would like to change it.

1. Once you click this option, 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 (make sure it satisfies the requirements above). 
4. Once the password is successfully reset, please note that the password change may take up to 15 minutes to go into effect in all systems.

I am an employee/student and forgot my password.

1. 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.
2. Confirm the listed email.
   
3. If you have access to this email, click Yes. If you no longer have access to the personal email on this page and cannot change it, contact the Service Desk.
   
   • If you are an employee, this is the email address you have entered in the "Home" email address type in UCPath. If you are a student, this is the email address you have set in TritonLink.
   • If you want/need to change this email, refer to Change Your Personal Email Address for AD Password Resets.
4. Check your email for a password reset link.
   
5. Click on the link to get to the password reset page.
6. Follow the prompts to enter your new password (make sure it satisfies the requirements above).
7. Once your password is successfully reset, please note that the password change may take up to 15 minutes to go into effect.