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New to Purdue? Get started here:

How to activate your career account:

Students receive a base Purdue Career Account that allows access to specific services at Purdue. 

To learn more, visit the Career Account services page

How to set up Purdue Login

The Purdue login system utilizes 2-Factor Authentication protections to validate log ins and access. The first factor is your career account username (alias) and career account password.

This is commonly referred to as Purdue Web SSO (Single Sign On) for web applications. The second factor is commonly the Duo Universal Prompt on your smartphone and provides several methods to verify your identity.

To learn more, visit the Purdue Login page

For instructions logging in using the Duo Mobile App on your device, see "How to use Duo authentication with Purdue Login."

 

How to change your password

NOTE:  If you use a mobile device or smartphone to access Purdue services such as email, PAL, or VPN, please read What steps should I take with my mobile device when resetting my password? before changing your password.  This will help ensure that your mobile device doesn't cause you to become locked out while your password change is propagating through the system.

Users have two options for changing your Purdue career account password:

      • Option 1: Go to boilerbot.purdue.edu and follow the prompts for resetting your password. This requires you to either have access to your Purdue email account or Login two-factor authentication.

        If BoilerBot is unavailable, and you have access to two-factor login, you can also go to https://www.purdue.edu/apps/account/flows/ResetPassword and the follow steps to create a new password. 

      • Option 2: If you do not have access to two-factor authentication or your Purdue email account, call the Purdue IT Service Desk at (765) 494-4000 to request a password reset. Be sure you have the following information: your 10-digit PUID number, your name as it appears on official Purdue mailings, and your Purdue career account login. You will be asked additional questions for verification purposes.


If you have forgotten your password and have not set up your challenge questions and need your password reset, visit Purdue IT Labs Help Desk on the main floor of the Hicks Undergraduate Library (HIKS) and swipe your Purdue ID card.  This is your most secure method. You may also call the Purdue IT Service Desk at (765) 494-4000 to request a password reset.  Be sure you have the following information: your 10 digit PUID number, your name as it appears on official Purdue mailings, your Purdue career account login. You will be asked additional questions for verification purposes. 

Getting started with your @purdue.edu email account (for students)

A @purdue.edu email account is provided to all individuals who maintain an affiliation with Purdue University, and new students are expected to check their Purdue AND personal email accounts regularly for important updates.

Your @purdue.edu email address can be set up to be forwarded to another email address, but new students should be aware that many important messages are sent only to your @purdue.edu address and may not forward to your personal address. To change your forwarding settings follow the instructions in the video below.

How to set up your @purdue career account and email  

Step-by-step instructions for setting up career account and email 

  1. Go to purdue.edu/accountsetup
  2. Sign up using your 10-digit Purdue ID number (found in the bottom lefthand corner of your Purdue offer of admission letter) and birthday. 
  3. Create a password. Click here for tips on creating a strong password
  4. Select an email setting. It is recommended that new students choose the Purdue Office 365 email option.
  5. Set up Purdue email password challenge questions. These questions will help you access email if your password needs changed.
  6. Sign up for emergency text notifications and a backup email address. 
  7. Your career account and email setup are complete.

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication

All Purdue email accounts are protected by Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication. Once your email account has been created, you will be required to set up MFA using either a phone number or the Microsoft Authenticator App (all in-coming students will have set up MFA as part of their email activation process). 

Visit the MFA page to learn more.  

How to check your Purdue email

  1. Go to outlook.office.com*
  2. Enter your full @purdue.edu email address.
  3. Enter your career account password.
  4. If this is your first time logging into your email, or the first time in several weeks (or if you're logging in from a new device/browser) you will be prompted to authenticate using Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (for details, see here).
  5. Your @Purdue.edu email inbox should now be visible.
*Other options for navigating to outlook.office.com include:
  • Visiting www.purdue.edu and clicking on the "Outlook" link on the bottom of the page under "Communication."
  • Installing Microsoft Outlook to your device via Purdue's Microsoft 365 portal.

What is the Microsoft Defender spam filter? What's phishing?

Your Purdue email is a source for news, notices, announcements, and more. This is the main channel of communication for your professors, peers, and other University administrative units to keep you updated with changes to campus and services. It is important that you read your email frequently.

There are two important things to keep in mind when checking your Purdue email.

■ Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the spam filter that protects student, staff and faculty email. Learn more on the MDO page.

■ Do not be fooled by phishing emails! Phishing emails are common because your email address is public information. Phishing emails will commonly ask you to “click here” to give up your Purdue career account credentials (username and password) which can be used to take over your email. This could lead to a loss of money or other important information. 

Downloading free Microsoft Office 365

Purdue has licensed Office 365 from Microsoft to make it available for free on an individual basis to students, faculty and staff, including for use on their personally owned machines.

To install Office 365 on your computer, visit the Purdue Office 365 portal. Sign in with your Purdue email address and password. Then click the Install button on the top right of the page.

You can install Office 365 on up to five devices.

What software do I need for class?

Academic software requirements vary by major, but Purdue students have access to many free or low-cost software options. 

To learn more about available software, visit Purdue IT's Software page.

Software Remote is a service that allows students to access many of the applications available in Purdue IT labs. To get started, go to  https://goremote.itap.purdue.edu.

Internet in the Residence Halls

Students living in University Residences use ResNet Internet services to connect their personal devices to the campus network, either wirelessly with PAL3.0 or by using an industry standard Ethernet connection.

Students living in University Residences are strongly encouraged to: 

  • Bring an Ethernet cable to hardwire their computers for uninterrupted connectivity. For most rooms a 20-30 foot cable is sufficient. Students with devices lacking a built-in Ethernet port will also need a USB to RJ45/Ethernet adapter. 
  • DO NOT bring personal wireless routers to campus; these devices can block wireless access for your neighbors. 
  • Be a good "wireless" neighbor. With hundreds of students sharing space in a residence hall, the potential for wireless interference and disturbance is high, resulting in diminished signal for everyone. Some simple steps to reduce interference include: 
    • Turn off devices like wireless printers and web cameras when not in use. 
    • Leave wireless routers at home. If you need a router to connect multiple wired devices, consider bringing a wired-only router, or turning off the router's Wi-Fi option. 

To learn more about ResNet, including how to get help connecting your devices, visit the ResNet page. . 

How do I connect to WiFi?

Using the link below, students can set up their devices (laptops, phones, tablets) to connect to campus Wi-Fi. By using this set up method, those not in range of campus Wi-Fi will be ready to connect when arriving on campus

Purdue AirLink, known as PAL, is the wireless network utilized on the University’s West Lafayette campus. It connects wireless-ready laptops, smartphones and other mobile devices to the Purdue network and, through the Purdue network, to the Internet. This is the recommend wireless service for students, faculty and staff. 

CONNECT TO PAL 3.0 WIRELESS

Purdue Airlink, known as PAL 3.0, can be found in all academic buildings on the Purdue campus. 

Students, faculty and staff can also connect to PAL by choosing PAL 3.0 under available Wi-Fi networks on their device and logging in with their Purdue username and password.

To learn more, visit Purdue IT's WiFi services page

What kind of computer do I need to bring to Purdue?

Incoming students should check with their academic department or advisor to see if their program has specific computing requirements.

In general, any recently purchased laptop or desktop computer will work for Purdue's networking and software requirements. Some software packages required for a specific major may only be available (or work better) on a specific operating system (i.e Mac vs PC). 

Hardware discounts are available for all Purdue students and staff, including discounts for Apple and Dell devices. To learn more, see our Technology Discounts for Students and Staff page.

Where are computer labs?

Instructional labs provide students and instructors at Purdue's West Lafayette campus with facilities designed to promote teaching and learning through the use of desktop computer systems. 

How do I print?

For printing in computer labs and other Purdue IT printing locations, see the information available here

For faculty and staff who need to connect to a local printer, contact your local IT department. 

How to connect to VPN (virtual private network)

Faculty, staff and students working away from campus can securely access campus resources using a virtual private network. To learn how, visit Purdue IT's VPN services page.

For additional information, visit Purdue IT's working remotely services page

I have technology questions. Where can I get help?

If you are having trouble connecting to a network or service, contact the Purdue IT Service Desk by calling (765)494-4000 or using the Purdue IT Service Portal

To contact your local academic IT department, see the list here.