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Change your HWU password

Students only - forgotten password reset page

You can generate a link to reset your student password by entering your personal/home email (used for enrolment). Click the link in the email from your mailbox (check Junk if it doesn't arrive). Then follow the instructions on the reset password page.

Staff (and PGRs) only

To change your password using a University managed laptop/PC:

  1. Either connect to the University wired network (via your docking station or network cable in your office), HWU Eduroam, or connect to the VPN
  2. Hit Ctrl+ Alt+ Del on your keyboard (Ctrl+ Alt+ End if connected via Remote Desktop)
  3. Click Change a password
  4. Enter your old password once and a new password twice, ensuring it meets the length and character requirements.
  5. Click Submit

Students and staff

How to change your password (if you know the current one):

  1. Log in to the password change tool using your Heriot-Watt credentials
  2. Create and confirm a new 16 character password, ensuring it meets the length and character stipulations.
  3. Click Submit

Points to note/FAQ

  • Verify the password length and complexity requirements
  • After a password change, any devices and apps connected to HWU systems will need to have the new password entered to continue using them. This will generate an MFA request.
    1. Connect to the wired network or VPN
    2. Hit Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard
    3. Lock your device
    4. Unlock your device using the new password
    If you use Microsoft's MyAccount to change your password on a managed laptop, this will reset your HWU password, but not your local password on the laptop. To resynchronise:
    1. Reboot the Mac/Macbook
    2. Log in using the new password - you will be prompted for MFA
    3. You will be prompted to change your local password – simply change it to match the new one that you set above.
    If you use Microsoft's MyAccount to change your password on a managed Mac or Macbook, this will reset your HWU password, but not your local password on the Macbook device. To resynchronise: