Reset or modify a domain password

Introduction

Your Active Directory/Domain account is used to log into Employee workstations on most domains across campus with the exception of workstations used by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. While we set these account usernames to be the same as your CCID, they are two separate accounts and can have different passwords.

KBA Objective:

This article provides instructions on how to reset/update your Central Domain password on your Windows computer
Refer to KBA - Confirming if your computer is part of the Central Domain (sts.ad.ualberta.ca) to check if your computer is connected properly

Applicability

Target Audience:

Anyone with a Windows computer on the central domain

Non-applicable:

Do not apply for MacOS. Refer to web – Reset your Mac login password for the official instructions.
Do not apply to CCIDs. Refer to KBA – Reset a CCID password.
For help with IT services, please contact the Shared Services Staff Service Center.

Procedure

Basic Information

Standard Process

1.0 Physically at your work computer
2.0 Connected Remotely via RDP

Appendix

Related Knowledge

Basic Information

The Central Domain is also sometimes referred to as the STS domain or the sts.ad.ualberta.ca domain.

A domain account, also referred to as an Active Directory or AD account is used to access shared network resources such as computer workstations, network drives, and printers. This collection of shared network resources and the accounts that are used to access them are collectively referred to as a domain.

Please note that although your CCID and your Central domain user name are likely the same, they are DIFFERENT accounts and are not connected. Changing your CCID password will not affect your Central domain password and vice-versa.

Your CCID account is used to log in to services like U of A Gmail, BearTracks, etc. If you wish to change, test, or reset your CCID password go to: https://myccid.ualberta.ca/

NOTE: If you are unable to log on to your computer this procedure will not work. Please contact IST by contacting the IT Service Desk (https://www.ualberta.ca/en/information-services-and-technology/index.html) or phoning 780-492-8000

Standard Process

The method used to update your password depends on whether or not you are physically at your work computer and whether you are using a Windows or Mac computer. Choose either of the sections below.

1.0 Physically at your work computer

Sign on to your computer
Enter the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard
You will be presented with the following screen, please select Change a password

Please fill in the following fields

User name should be in the format: STS\your_user_name
Old password: enter your old password here
New password: enter your new password here
Confirm password: enter your new password here. Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and be different from the last 24 passwords used.

Click on the arrow next to the Confirm password field to apply the changes.

You should then receive a success message stating that you have successfully changed your password, as seen here

2.0 Connected Remotely via RDP

Sign on to your remote desktop computer (Direct to Desktop) or the Terminal Server

Refer to KBA – Remote directly into desktops or Terminal Server for instructions to connect

Enter the key combination Ctrl + Alt + End on your keyboard
You will be presented with the following screen, please select Change a password

Please fill in the following fields:

User name should be in the format: STS\your_user_name
Old password: enter your old password here
New password: enter your new password here
Confirm password: enter your new password here. Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and be different from the last 24 passwords used.

Click on the arrow next to the Confirm password field to apply the change

You should then receive a success message stating that you have successfully changed your password, as seen here, click OK