Site-wide links

Rochester Institute of Technology logo

Changing Your Password

Your RIT Computer Account enables access to e-mail, the myRIT portal, the Internet, Student Information System (SIS), Wallace Library Online Databases and many more services.

Where to Change Your Passwords
Changing the Password for Logging Into Your Computer
Changing Passwords in Email
Changing Passwords for Your LDAP Entry
Changing Your Oracle Self-Service Password

Where to Change Your Password

When you need to change your RIT Computer Account password close out of any software applications you have open and go to the web address: http://start.rit.edu.
  1. Click the 'Change your password' link.

    Start List

  2. Enter your current RIT Computer Account user name and password in the pop-up window.

    Start Pop Up
    • Click 'OK'

  3. Enter your new password, exactly the same in both of the boxes and click the 'Change Password' button.
    Start Password Change



Changing the Password for Logging Into Your Computer

Now that you've changed your password at http://start.rit.edu you should change the password that you use to access your computer.

  • If you're logging into a domain that is governed by RIT Computer Accounts, such as Main, you must restart your computer and login with the new password immediately after changing it.

    • To find out if you're logging into MAIN press CTRL + ALT + DEL on the keyboard and look for the word MAIN in front of your user name in the 'Logon Information' section. This section is the top section of the window. Press the 'Cancel' button to close this window.

  • If you're on a domain other than Main you should check with your local Systems Administrator for instructions on changing your password.
  • If you're logging into your computer locally you should still change your computer password following the instructions below.

Changing Local Passwords for Mac OS X Accounts

We have instructions on how to change the password on your Mac OS X account, even if you don't remember what the password is.


Changing Local Passwords for Windows XP, 2000 and NT:
  1. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL on the keyboard and click the 'Change Password' button.
  2. Make sure you're logged with the account that you want to change the password for and make sure this account is not a member of Active Directory. If it is a member of Active Directory you will see the word MAIN before your user name in the 'Logon Information' section. This section is the top section of the window.
  3. When the Change Password window appears type your old password, your new password and then retype your new password in the 'Confirm New Password' box.
  4. Click 'OK' to close the 'Change Password' verification pop-up and then click cancel to return to Windows, the password has now been changed.
  5. Restart your computer and log in with your new password

Changing All Local Passwords for Windows XP and Windows 2000:

Note: The following methods will allow you to change the passwords for every account on your computer. Depending on your college or division you may or may not have the access or responsibility to change these accounts. If you have any questions please contact your local System Administrator or the ITS HelpDesk.

  1. Click the 'Start' button and select 'Settings' and then 'Control Panel' for Windows 2000 or 'Start', 'Control Panel' for Windows XP.
  2. In Control Panel double click 'Users and Passwords' for Windows 2000 or 'User Accounts' for Windows XP.
  3. Note: If you do not have permission to change local passwords a pop-up window will appear telling you so and you will have to contact your System Administrator.

    No Permission

  4. Select the account you use to log into the computer with and click the 'Set Password' button
  5. Type your new RIT Computer Account password into both boxes of the pop-up window and click 'OK'

    Reset Local PW

  6. If you have more than one 'Administrator' account (look under the column titled 'Group' for others) you can reset the password for the others as well. Remember only you will know this password so you may want to check with your local Systems Administrator and others who use the computer first.
  7. Restart your computer and log in with your new password

Changing All Local Passwords for Windows NT:

  1. Click the 'Start' button and select 'Programs', then 'Administrative Tools (Common)' and finally 'User manager'
  2. Double click the account that you are changing the password for
  3. Note: If you do not have permission to change local passwords a pop-up window will appear telling you so and you will have to contact your System Administrator.
  4. In the 'User Properties' window enter the new password in both boxes that request it and then click 'OK'
  5. If you have more than one 'Administrator' account (look under the column titled 'Group' for others) you can reset the password for the others as well. Remember only you will know this password so you may want to check with your local Systems Administrator and others who use the computer first.
  6. Close the 'User Properties' window.
  7. Restart your computer and log in with your new password


Changing Passwords in Email

With any IMAP or POP email account, once your RIT Computer Account password has been changed you will be prompted to change your password the first time you open the email client and click on the 'Inbox'.

With Exchange MAPI email accounts you are not prompted to change your password. You've already verified the new password when logging into your computer.

Some examples of IMAP or POP email clients are: Outlook Express, Outlook, Entourage, Apple Mail or Netscape.

  1. First you may receive an error message that the mail server has rejected your login.
    • Click 'OK' to continue on and change your password.

    Rejected PW

  2. Next you will be prompted to enter your new password.

    PW Change Box

    • Type in your new password. Note: the new password will show as a group of asterisks, this is normal.
    • If you've already selected to 'Remember Password' the box will show as greyed out. If you haven't in the past, but you'd like to now, check the 'Remember Password' box
    • Click 'OK'.


Changing Passwords for Your LDAP Entry

You may or may not have your password entered for your RIT LDAP directory. If you do you will receive a failure notice when you try to search LDAP after you've changed your password. To update the password please follow the instructions below for various email clients.

Outlook Express LDAP:
  • Click 'Tools' and then 'Accounts'
  • Click the 'Directory Services' tab
  • Double click the RIT LDAP entry and enter the New Password
  • Click 'OK' and then 'Close'
Outlook 2000:
  • Click 'Tools' and then 'Services'
  • Double click the RIT LDAP entry
  • Enter the new password
  • Click 'OK' and then 'OK' again
Outlook 2002 and 2003:
  • Click 'Tools' and then 'Email Accounts'
  • Select 'View or Change Existing Directories or Address Books' and click 'Next'
  • Select the RIT LDAP entry and click 'Change'
  • Change your password and then click 'Next' and 'Finish'
Apple Mail OSX 10.3 "Panther":
  • Select 'Preferences' from the Mail menu
  • Click 'Composing' in the 'Preference' window's toolbar
  • Click the 'Configure LDAP' button
  • Highlight the RIT LDAP entry and click the 'Edit' button
  • Change your password and click 'Save'
  • Click 'Done'
  • Close out of the 'Preferences' window


Changing Your Oracle Self-Service Password

Although the Oracle Self-Service password is not linked to your RIT Computer Account password it does expire every 120 days and you should make it a regular practice to update it.

  1. The Oracle Self-Serve web site is accessed at: http://www.rit.edu/myinfo.
  2. Log into the site with your current user name and password. If your current password has expired see the note below.
  3. Click the link for 'RIT Employee Self-Service'
  4. Click the link for 'My Personal Information'
  5. In the upper right hand corner click the link for 'Preferences'  Oracle Preferences
  6. Scroll down to the 'Password Settings' section and enter your current password & then enter your new password in both of the boxes requesting it.

    Oracle PW Settings
  7. Click the 'Apply' button in the lower right hand corner
  8. You should see a 'Confirmation' note in the upper left hand corner of the screen once the password has been changed.
  9. You may then close the window or click 'Home' in the upper right hand corner.
Note: If your password has already expired you will be prompted when you first log into Oracle Self-Serve to change it. If you are having any difficulties in doing so please contact the ITS HelpDesk or review the Oracle Self-Service documentation located at: http://finweb.rit.edu/customersupport/emp_self_serve_faq.html