If you are familiar with the password reset process and just need the link to start the reset, click on the button directly below. Full instructions can be found in the Changing or Resetting Your Password section.
Click Here to Change or Reset your VIU Computer Account Password
Contents
A VIU computer account is a Microsoft account used to access nearly all VIU services.
- Logging in to computers at VIU
- VIU-Secure campus WiFi
- Eduroam
- Your VIU email
- Microsoft 365 services (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Teams, etc.)
- VIULearn (D2L)
- VIUTube (YuJa)
- Library Services
- VIU Administrative Systems
- Employee Portal
- And more.
Exceptions:
- Some systems, like VIUBlogs (WordPress), Experience Hub, and the Library Catalog, use a different username instead of using the VIU Computer Accounts (email). For students, this would be their student number, and for employees it is the last name first initial format (example: John Doe would be DoeJ). These systems will use the same password as the VIU Computer Account uses. We are working to unify these systems with the VIU Computer Accounts.
New students and employees will receive an email on or before their first day to their personal email they provided VIU. It will contain the following:
- Your VIU Computer Account username (this is also your email address)
- Your temporary password
- Instructions on how to change your password
If you are a current student or employee, you already have a VIU Computer Account!
- The email address is what you will use to login to most systems:
- For students:
preferredname.lastname@my.viu.ca (e.g. Sam.Booker@my.viu.ca)
- For employees:
preferredname.lastname@viu.ca (e.g. Jane.Doe@viu.ca)
If you are a new student or employee setting up your account for the first time with a temporary password, or if you need to change or reset your password, click on the button or follow the steps below:
Change/Reset VIU Computer Account Password
Note: if you are logged in to another Microsoft account at another institution (or you are both a student and employee) we recommend using a different browser for each.
Setting up a new account OR changing password:
- go to outlook.office.com
- sign in using your @viu.ca or @my.viu.ca email (see above Account Format)
- use the temporary password you were provided or your current password if you know it, and click Sign in
- if you have set up the self serve password reset option, click Forgot Password and follow the prompts
- update your password when prompted to one you can remember and that meets the VIU password standards
- sign out, then sign in again to ensure the new password is recognized
If this is your first time signing into your computer account or if IT has reset your 2-step verification methods, you will be prompted that "Stay secure - more information is required." This step is required and is asking you to set up a 2-step verification method for future sign-in attempts. For detailed steps on how to set up your 2-step verification method(s), please visit: How Do I Set Up 2-Step Verification?
Note: It may take several minutes for your new password to sync across all services.
With SSPR, you can reset your password securely and quickly without having to contact the IT Service Desk. After your account recovery options have been set up, you may use the “Change/Reset VIU Computer Account Password” button above to reset your own password at any time.
- click to set up self-service password reset
- sign in with your computer account email and password
- click +Add a sign-in method
- choose the email option
- add a personal email (do not use your VIU email)
- follow the prompts to complete the set up
You are required to use at least 8 characters and 3 of the following 4 options:
- upper case letters
- lower case letters
- numbers
- special characters: !@#$%^&*()_+={}
Your password cannot contain:
- Your first name, middle name, or last name
Important: Never share your password with anyone (not even the IT department). It ensures the privacy of your account, and you are responsible for how your account is used. Do not let others access it.
More information about password security can be found here: Password Security
- Active students and employees. Note: some work appointment types may retain access after their end date. Students retain access 120 days after their last day of classes. More information can be found here: When do VIU Computer Accounts get disabled?
- VIU Affiliates
- Retirees who have requested extended access to their accounts (must be requested on a yearly basis)
- Job applicants
- Alumni
- Vendors
| Affiliation |
Disable Duration |
| Students |
120 days after last date of classes |
| Regular Employees |
1 day after last date of appointment |
| Temporary BCGEU |
6 months after last date of appointment |
| Temporary CUPE |
1 day after last date of appointment |
| Temporary VIUFA |
12 months after last date of appointment |
| Casual |
90 days after last date of pay |
| Student Workers |
120 days after last date of appointment or contract |
| Affiliate |
1 day after last date of affiliation agreement |
Access to VIU accounts, network shares, email, and online resources is disabled. Papercut balance is removed. Files and emails in disabled accounts remain intact for 1 year. Data is removed from a disabled account after 1 full year with no activity.
Access is restored to user accounts and resources. If the account is enabled within 1 year, files and emails are just as they were left, and the password remains unchanged.
Student record passwords are different from VIU Computer Accounts. This uses your student number as the username and a different password that you have set. More information about your student record account can be found here: Student Record Password