Windows Computer Off-Campus

College provided Windows computers that are off-campus will not automatically sync to your new password for the logon to the laptop.

Here's a method to update the password stored on your computer so you can log in to the computer with your new Amherst password.

  1. Close all open applications, examples include Adobe programs, Word, Excel, Chrome, Firefox, Slack and Zoom.
  2. Establish a VPN connection to Amherst using your new password.
  3. Press CTRL-ALT-DEL on your keyboard and select Lock.
    If you don't have the Lock option, your loaner laptop will not allow this process. In this case, you must continue to log on to your laptop with the old password, but use the new password for everything else.
  4. Your computer will lock. Click your mouse button or press any key on your keyboard to bring up the login screen.
  5. Log in with your new Amherst password to unlock your computer. This caches your new password on the computer. The next time you log into the computer, it will recognize your new password instead of your old one.
  6. As you re-open applications and access Amherst College online resources, log in with your new password as prompted especially for Gmail, Google Calendar, Apps, and Drive, Slack, and Zoom.

If the above method doesn't work for you please contact AskIT.

IMPORTANT: Check the After Changing Your Password page for other things you may have to do after you set a new password on your Amherst account.