Topics Map > Service Catalog > Accounts, passwords and security services > Authentication systems
Topics Map > Service Catalog > Accounts, passwords and security services > Campus account > Password services
Activate new account (Faculty and Staff)
All faculty, and staff are required to activate their UW-Stout account in order to establish the credentials (username and password) that will be used to access resources such as email, Access Stout, and Canvas. Once notified that your account is ready for activation follow these steps:
Account Activation
1. Visit the Microsoft Password Account Page
Go to the Microsoft account page at https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection and are using a secure device.
2. Enter Your UW-Stout Email Address
On the password reset page, enter your UW-Stout email address (formatted as username@uwstout.edu), complete the captcha, and select Next
- Make sure to double-check for any typos in your email address.
- Complete the captcha to verify you are not a robot, then click Next.
3: Receive the Verification Code via Your Application Email
Select Email. The verification code will be sent to the email address you used when applying to the university.
- Ensure you have access to this email account.
- If you no longer have access to the email account, please call the Technology Help Desk for assistance.
4. Enter the Verification Code
After receiving the verification code via Email, enter the code on the provided screen.
- Ensure the code is entered exactly as it appears in the message or email.
- Click Next to proceed to the password creation screen.
5. Create a New Password
You will now be prompted to create a new password for your UW-Stout account.
- Enter your chosen password in the 'New password' field, and then re-enter it in the 'Confirm password' field to ensure they match.
- Click Finish to complete the password reset process.
6. Confirmation and First Login
After successfully resetting your password, you will see a confirmation screen stating that your password has been updated.
- You can now log in to all UW-Stout applications using your new credentials.
Need Help?
If you encounter any issues during the password reset process, please contact the Technology Help Desk for assistance.
Pro Tips for Managing Your Password
Here are some best practices to keep your UW-Stout account secure:
- Regularly update your password to meet security standards.
- Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters to create a strong password.
- Avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdays, names, or common words.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an added layer of security.
Enrolling in Microsoft Authenticator for Multi Factor Authentication (2-Step)
Microsoft Authenticator
UW-Stout uses Microsoft Authenticator for Multi Factor Authentication.
There are two options to enroll:
- Manually: If MS Authenticator has not been turned on for your account follow the steps in the Setting up Microsoft Authenticator Manually section.
- Prompt: If MS Authenticator has been turned on for your account, when you log into Microsoft 365 online, you will be prompted for More information required to begin the Microsoft Authenticator enrollment . Follow the steps in the Enrolling with a Prompt from Microsoft section.
Some Known Issues with Enrolling
If you run into any of the following issues, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 715-232-5000 or techdesk@uwstout.edu and they can reset your account.
- It appears that you are already enrolled with your Stout account, and it will not let you enroll again.
- You get a prompt on your computer to add the 2-digit code to the Authenticator App on your phone, but the App does not prompt you to enter the code.
Setting up Microsoft Authenticator Manually on a Computer
You can view an example of this process from another University on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuqClJlQYI
- On your computer, visit https://aka.ms/mysecurityinfo. Select Add Method
- Choose Authenticator app.
- Computer: Follow the prompts on the following screens. Once the Microsoft Authenticator app is installed on your mobile device, click Next. (See direction below for steps on installing the app on your mobile device)
Download the Microsoft Authenticator App
Download the Microsoft Authenticator App if you haven't done this yet.
Visit the Apple app store or Google play store on your mobile device and install the Microsoft Authenticator app. Alternatively, visit aka.ms/authapp to find QR Codes that will send you to the store for your Apple or Android mobile device.
You may also search in the Google Play store or Apple App store for "Microsoft Authenticator" to manually download.*(If manually downloading, please be aware of of the app that you are downloading. It should be fully named "Microsoft Authenticator") -
Computer: Set up your account on the Authenticator App. Click on Next.
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Computer: A QR Code will appear in the next step. You will come back to this QR code on your computer and scan with your mobile device.
- Mobile Device: Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and select Add work or school account.
- iPhone users press the PLUS button at the top right corner first to add an account, then select work or school account.
Android and iPhone Android iPhone 
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- iPhone users press the PLUS button at the top right corner first to add an account, then select work or school account.
- Mobile Device: Choose Scan a QR code. (Do NOT choose Sign In)
Android and iPhone Android iPhone 
- Computer: Back on your computer, scan the QR code with Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device to enable your account. Once the scan is successful, click Next.
Can't Scan?
If you are unable to Scan the QR code, select the Can't Scan image? option which will provide you with a code to copy and a URL to visit to activate.
If you can't scan because it says that your account has already been activated and there is a UW-Stout account on your mobile app, please click Next to continue as normal.
Please contact the helpdesk at 715-232-5000 if errors still occur.
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- Computer: Complete Setup - Microsoft Authenticator will prompt you on your computer screen with a number to enter in your mobile app. Your mobile app will detect that a sign in is being requested.
- Mobile Device: Enter the number shown in your Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device and then click Yes on your mobile device to approve.
Activate Android iPhone 
Enrolling with a Prompt from Microsoft - Using a Mobile Device
Please Note: Screen shots are for an iPhone but the process is similar on an Android device.
- When you sign into any Microsoft 365 web based application, you will be prompted for More information required to begin the Microsoft Authenticator enrollment. Click Next.
- Start by getting the App. (If you already have the Microsoft Authenticator app, click on Next.)
- Click on Download now to install the Microsoft Authenticator app.
- After the App is installed, return to the set up screen. Click on Next
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Set up your account in the App
Click on Pair your account to the app by clicking this link. This will take you back to the Authenticator app.
- On the "Open in Authenticator" pop up, click on Open.
- Click on the University of Wisconsin-Stout account. This will pair your account.
- Return to the set up page to complete the setup. Note the number shown on the screen.
- Go to the Microsoft Authenticator App and enter the number on the set up screen. Click on Yes.
- Microsoft will approve your notification. Click on Next.
- If your account is successfully registered, you will see a Success message.
Enrolling with a Prompt from Microsoft - Using a Computer
When you sign into any Microsoft 365 web based application, you will be prompted for More information required to begin the Microsoft Authenticator enrollment. Click Next.
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Download the Microsoft Authenticator App if you haven't done this yet.
Download the Microsoft Authenticator App
Download the Microsoft Authenticator App if you haven't done this yet.
Visit the Apple app store or Google play store on your mobile device and install the Microsoft Authenticator app. Alternatively, visit aka.ms/authapp to find QR Codes that will send you to the store for your Apple or Android mobile device.
You may also search in the Google Play store or Apple App store for "Microsoft Authenticator" to manually download.*(If manually downloading, please be aware of of the app that you are downloading. It should be fully named "Microsoft Authenticator") -
Computer: Set up your account on the Authenticator App. Click on Next.
- Computer: A QR Code will appear in the next step. You will come back to this and scan with your mobile device.
- Mobile Device: Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device and select Add work or school account.
- iPhone users press the plus sign button in the upper right to add an account, then select work or school account.
work or school Android iPhone
- iPhone users press the plus sign button in the upper right to add an account, then select work or school account.
- Mobile Device: Choose Scan a QR code.
Scan QR code Android iPhone - Computer: Back on your computer, scan the QR code with the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device to enable your account. Once the scan is successful, click Next. (Make sure you continue to step 7-9)
Can't Scan?
If you are unable to Scan the QR code, select the Can't Scan image? option which will provide you with a code to copy and a URL to visit to activate.
If you can't scan because it says that your account has already been activated and there is a UW-Stout account on your mobile app, please click Next to continue as normal.
Please contact the helpdesk at 715-232-5000 if errors still occur.
- Let's try it out! Microsoft Authenticator will prompt you on your computer screen with a number to enter in your mobile app. Your mobile app will detect that a sign in is being requested.
- Enter the number shown in your Microsoft Authenticator App on your mobile device and then click Yes on your mobile device to approve.
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Success! Your MS Authenticator account has been set up.
Enroll in Microsoft MFA on a Mobile Phone Without Access to a Computer
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for enrolling in Microsoft MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) on a mobile phone when no computer is available. The process involves using the Microsoft Authenticator app and switching between apps on the phone to complete the setup.
Step 1: Start MFA Enrollment Process
- Open the Outlook Mobile App or any other Microsoft app like Teams or OneDrive.
- Log in with your work/school account.
- A prompt will appear stating that More Information is Required for MFA enrollment.
(PLEASE NOTE: If you see the message "You have 14 days until this is required", you can click on that message to delay your enrollment. Once that time frame has expired you will be required to enroll at that time.) - Tap Next to begin the process.
Step 2: Install Microsoft Authenticator App
- If the app is already installed, skip this step.
- If not, open the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS), search for Microsoft Authenticator, and install it.
Step 3: Get the Code
- In the MFA enrollment screen, you will be prompted to scan a QR code.
- Since you cannot scan the code on your own phone, tap Can’t scan QR code? or Use a different verification method.
- This will display a long code and a URL, which you will need to enter manually.
Step 4: Switch to the Microsoft Authenticator App
- Open the Microsoft Authenticator App.
- Tap the + sign in the top right corner.
- Select Work or School Account.
- At the bottom, choose Enter code manually.
Step 5: Switch Back to the Enrollment Page
- Switch back to the Outlook Mobile App (or the app displaying the MFA enrollment screen).
- Highlight the long code displayed and copy it.
- To copy, press and hold on the text, highlight the entire code, and select Copy.
Step 6: Paste the Code into Authenticator
- Switch back to the Microsoft Authenticator App.
- Paste the copied code into the designated field by pressing and holding the field and selecting Paste.
Step 7: Copy the URL
- Return to the Outlook Mobile App (or the app displaying the MFA enrollment screen).
- Highlight and copy the URL provided under the code.
Step 8: Paste the URL into Authenticator
- Switch back to the Microsoft Authenticator App.
- Paste the copied URL into the appropriate field and press Finish or Add Account.
Step 9: Complete Enrollment
Once both the code and URL are entered, the account will be successfully enrolled in MFA.