Account Activation for New Students
To access all the online services available to you at UWM such as the Admissions Portal, PAWS, Canvas and Microsoft 365, you will need to activate your account. Once activated, your user name and password will be used to access all UWM online services. Do not share your password with anyone.
Account Activation InformationBelow are resources for activating your account:
Once your account is activated, you may see a screen with the title More information required:
If you see this screen, it is requiring you to set up one of two necessary account protections: self-service password reset or multi-factor authentication. Below are resources for setting up both:
Self-Service Password Reset
If you do not set up the self-service password reset, you will need to contact the UWM Help Desk if you forget your password or for the yearly password update. Because the UWM Help Desk must verify your identity, this can be a time-consuming process and may take away time that you need to complete coursework. Once you configure the self-service password reset, you can quickly and easily update your password when necessary.
Follow our instructions to set up your self-service password reset.
Multi-factor Authentication
Once you are a student at UWM, you will be required to add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to your account. MFA is the combination of something you know (your password) and something you have (such as a cell phone). More information on MFA can be found on the MFA site or use our directions to set up MFA using the Microsoft Authenticator App.
You are required to change your password once every year. If you have set up the steps for self-service password resets, this process is quick and easy. Below are resources for password changes:
If you have followed all the steps outlined above, your account should be set up properly and you will be able to use your account to register for classes, contact your advisor, perform coursework and utilize all the online resources available to you at UWM.
To test that your account is working properly, log into PAWS. If you do not see any error messages or the “More information required” screen, your account is properly set up.
If you had difficulties with any of the above steps, or do not have the technology to complete the above steps, contact the UWM Help Desk for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the Admissions Portal?- Transfer students and Freshmen who will be 21 years old on the first day of classes should be able to access UWM email after you’ve been admitted to UWM.
- All other new Freshmen will have access to UWM email about a week before your Orientation date.
If you think you should have access, but are still having trouble accessing your email, follow the steps in this video.