UW Information Technology (UWIT) provides the computing and technology services that support your academic career at the UW. This guide is organized so you can jump to what you need. Check with your major or program’s local IT support for any additional recommendations specific to your department.
First week essentials
If you only do five things before classes start, do these:
- Activate your UW NetID and set up account recovery.
- Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) with Duo Mobile — required to sign in on the web.
- Connect to eduroam, UWIT’s recommended encrypted Wi-Fi network.
- Choose and activate a UW email service, UW Gmail or UW Exchange Online.
- Install Microsoft 365 and sign up for Purple, UW’s AI tool — both at no additional cost to use with your UW NetID.
Get connected
Connect to UW networks, verify your identity online, and get your email and file storage working.
Use eduroam, UWIT’s recommended Wi-Fi — encrypted, available in most campus buildings and outdoor spaces, and it works at eduroam-enabled campuses worldwide. Set up eduroam or compare all UW Wi-Fi options.
Learn how to connect to internet in UW Housing. Wired Ethernet is available in every residence hall. Learn how to connect.
Off campus and need UW-only resources like library databases? Use Husky OnNet, UWIT’s free VPN.
Your UW NetID (and password) unlocks nearly every UW service — MyUW, email, and more. Learn about UW NetIDs, or go straight to Identity.UW to activate yours, reset your password, or set up account recovery.
2FA is required to sign in on the web. We recommend the free Duo Mobile app. Set up 2FA or go straight to add your smartphone as a 2FA device.
Two options: forward UW email to a personal inbox, or activate a UW-hosted service — UW Gmail or UW Exchange Online (part of UW Office 365). Both include calendaring and generous storage; Exchange Online is HIPAA-compliant, UW Gmail isn’t. Compare platforms and set up your inbox.
Store and share files with Google Drive (part of UW Google) or OneDrive for Business (part of UW Office 365) — both built for collaboration, not general backup.
UW Libraries handles printing, scanning, and copying across campus. Check the UW Libraries website for locations, costs, and how to print from your own laptop.
Protect yourself online
Your UW NetID unlocks a lot, treat it with safety in mind. Here’s what to watch for and what to do.
Phishing emails push urgency — fake job offers, financial aid “opportunities,” links asking you to sign in. Learn to spot and avoid phishing, protect against voice phishing, and to tell junk, spam, and phishing apart.
Never approve a Duo push you didn’t request.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated. Lock your screen when you step away. Start with securing your computer and smart computing habits.
Never reuse your UW NetID password anywhere else, and think twice before granting an app access to your UW account. Review protecting your smartphone for a few quick wins.
Avoid signing into banking, UW, or other sensitive accounts on public or shared computers. Traveling or studying abroad? Read security tips for travel and protecting devices on the go before you leave.
Be skeptical of unsolicited offers by email or mail claiming to be from the UW — verify the source first.
Caution: The UW does not sell computer backup or “data protection” plans by mail or phone. Any offer like this — to you or your family — isn’t from the UW, and UWIT can’t verify it’s legitimate.
Get software and AI tools
Most software you need for class is free or discounted through UWIT.
UWare, the UW software catalog, lists everything available to students free or discounted — Microsoft 365, MATLAB, SPSS, Visual Studio, Tableau, and more.
Install Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) free on up to five devices. Get Microsoft 365.
Prefer Google? Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive) is also free with your NetID. Get Google Workspace. Use both — no need to pick one.
Purple is UW’s own AI tool — built for privacy and security and is free to use. Explore ideas, organize notes, generate practice questions, or work through tough concepts. It’s optional and doesn’t replace your instructor. Be sure to always follow your course’s AI policy.
Get Adobe Creative Cloud, Acrobat Pro, and more at a student discount through UWIT. Get Adobe at reduced cost.
Plan your academics
Registration, degree planning, and staying on track all run through a few core tools.
MyUW is your personal portal to the UW — sign in for your schedule, grades, and financial account. Learn more about MyUW.
Need to update your address? Use the Registrar’s address change page.
Register for classes at Register.UW.
MyPlan builds your course schedule, compares options, and audits your progress toward graduation. Learn more about MyPlan.
DawgPath helps you discover majors and courses, gauge your odds for capacity-constrained programs, and connect with your adviser. Explore DawgPath.
Notify.UW texts or emails you when a seat opens in a full class. Access Notify.UW.
The UW Event Calendar lists events, lectures, and exhibits across all three campuses. Browse the calendar.
Learning tools and study spaces
The technology behind your classes, and where to use it.
Canvas is the UW’s learning management system, used in most courses. Learn more about Canvas.
Panopto records and hosts your course lecture videos. Learn more about Panopto.
Poll Everywhere powers live polls and quizzes in class. Learn more about Poll Everywhere.
Borrow laptops, tablets, cameras, and more at no cost from the Student Technology Loan Program.
UW Libraries also lends tech gear — cables, scanners, even wellness items. Browse library equipment.
UW Libraries has study spaces built for tech — Zoom pods, computer labs, and more. Find locations and hours.
New to a tool, or want to get faster with one you already use? UWIT runs technology training and workshops year-round.
Accessibility
UW technology is built to work for everyone. Here’s how to get accommodations, use built-in accessible features, and get help when something doesn’t work for you.
Have a documented disability and need accommodations — extended time, accessible formats, interpreting, and more? Contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS) for your campus.
Ally lets you download Canvas course files as audio, ePub, electronic braille, or other formats. Download alternative formats with Ally.
Panopto auto-generates captions on course recordings; request a professionally captioned version through DRS. Learn more about captioning Panopto recordings.
Zoom offers live, automated captioning in meetings and class sessions. Turn on Zoom live captioning.
UWIT Accessible Technology Services (ATS) helps with document remediation, assistive technology consulting, and accessibility troubleshooting outside a formal accommodation. Visit UW Accessible Technology.
Need a textbook or course pack converted to an accessible format? Access Text & Technology (ATT) converts materials and captions instructor videos for students with disabilities, across all three campuses. Start through your campus DRS office.
Found a UW website, document, or tool that isn’t accessible? Report an accessibility barrier.
Delve deeper: research and web publishing
Technology that supports you beyond coursework.
Share research, a portfolio, or a class project online. UWIT supports several web publishing options, from no-code site builders to managed servers.
With funding from Student Technology Fees, the UW Research Computing Club (a registered student organization) gives students training, community, and no-cost access to Hyak Klone resources, Tillicum GPU computing credits, and AWS computing credits. These resources are not intended for course-reserve use; they are available for independent research, faculty-sponsored research, and research that extends or complements class projects.
Visit the RCC website to learn about computing access and club membership.
Graduating soon?
Your UW Google and UW Office 365 accounts — and everything in them — are deleted after your last quarter. Don’t lose your work: see Graduating Students: Preserve Your UW Work for the full timeline and checklist.
Need help?
Can’t find what you’re looking for, or something isn’t working? The UWIT Service Center is your first stop.