Key Takeaways
- Your network credentials are usually the same username and password you use to log into your computer when you turn it on, not your email password.
- Your IT department or help desk is the fastest way to reset forgotten credentials — they can verify your identity and send you a temporary password within minutes.
- You can sometimes find hints about your username by looking at your computer's user account settings, though the password itself is never stored where you can see it.
- If you work for a large organization, your credentials may be listed in an employee directory or mentioned in onboarding emails you received when you started.
- Never share your network credentials with anyone, including IT staff who contact you first — real support staff will never ask for your password.
Check Your Computer's User Account Settings
Your username is often visible on your computer itself. On Windows, click the Start button, then go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. The name shown at the top is your user account name. On a Mac, open System Preferences, click Users & Groups, and look at the account name listed on the left side.
This tells you your username, but your password is never stored anywhere you can read it — it's encrypted and kept secure by your operating system. If you can log into your computer right now, you already know your password works, even if you don't remember typing it. If you're locked out, you'll need to contact your IT department to reset it.
Look at Your Onboarding Documents and Welcome Emails
When you first started at your job or school, you likely received an email or printed sheet with your network username on it. Check your email inbox for messages from IT, Human Resources, or your manager from your first week. Search for words like "network", "username", "login", or "credentials". These messages often include your username and instructions for setting your first password.
If you find an old temporary password in these emails, don't use it — temporary passwords expire after a set time, usually a few days. Instead, use the username you find and contact IT to reset your password. If you can't find these emails, ask your manager or HR department whether they kept a copy of your onboarding materials.
Contact Your IT Department or Help Desk
This is the fastest and most reliable way to recover your credentials. Your IT department has tools to verify your identity and reset your password immediately. Look for an IT help desk phone number or email on your company intranet, in your employee handbook, or on a poster near your desk. Many organizations also have a help desk ticket system where you can submit a request online.
When you contact them, be ready to answer security questions to prove you are who you say you are. They may ask for your employee ID number, your manager's name, your hire date, or answers to questions you set up when you first created your account. They will never ask you to tell them your current password — if someone does, that's a scam, and you should hang up and call the official IT number instead.
Check Your Employee Directory or Intranet
Some organizations publish an employee directory that includes usernames. Log in to your company intranet or employee portal if you can access it from another device or account. Search for your name to see if your username is listed there. This won't help you recover a forgotten password, but it will confirm your username so you can contact IT with the right information.
If your organization uses Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or another cloud service, you may be able to look up your username through that system's admin portal if you have access. Ask a colleague or your manager whether your organization has an online directory you can search.
Verify You're Not Confusing Network Credentials With Other Passwords
Many people mix up their network credentials with their email password, their cloud storage password, or their application-specific passwords. Your network credentials are what you use to log into your computer itself when you turn it on or wake it from sleep. Your email password is separate, even if your email address looks like your username.
If you remember a password but it's not working, try the other passwords you use at work or school. If none of them work, contact IT and tell them which passwords you've already tried. This helps them understand whether you're locked out of your computer, your email, or both.
Protect Your Credentials Once You Have Them
Once you've recovered or reset your network credentials, write them down in a secure place. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane encrypts your passwords and stores them safely. If you prefer to write them down, keep the paper in a locked drawer at home, not in your desk at work or on a sticky note on your monitor.
Never share your network credentials with anyone, including IT staff, colleagues, or friends. If someone at work needs access to your files, your IT department can set up shared folders or permissions instead. If IT contacts you asking for your password, hang up and call the official IT number yourself — that's a common scam.
What to Do If Your Organization Uses Single Sign-On
Some workplaces use single sign-on, which means you log in once with one set of credentials and that unlocks access to multiple systems. If your organization uses this, your network credentials might be the same as your email login, or they might be a separate set entirely. Ask your IT department which system is your primary network login.
If you've forgotten your single sign-on password, contact IT the same way you would for regular network credentials. They'll reset it and you'll regain access to all the systems connected to that login at once. Single sign-on is more secure than remembering separate passwords for each system, so if your organization offers it, use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my network password the same as my email password?
Not always. Some organizations use the same credentials for both, but many keep them separate. Your network password is what you use to log into your computer. Your email password is what you use to access your email inbox. If you're not sure, contact IT and ask them directly.
What if I can't remember any passwords and I'm locked out of my computer?
You'll need to contact IT in person or by phone from another device. Bring a photo ID to prove who you are. They can reset your password and walk you through logging back in. This usually takes less than an hour.
Can I change my network password myself?
Yes, on most systems. On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select "Change a password". On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, select your account, and click "Change Password". You'll need to enter your current password first. If you don't remember your current password, you'll need IT to reset it before you can change it yourself.
What should I do if someone asks me for my network credentials?
Don't give them out. Real IT staff will never ask for your password. If someone claims to be from IT and asks for your credentials, hang up and call your official IT help desk number. This is a common way scammers try to break into work networks.
Where do I find my IT help desk number?
Check your employee handbook, your company intranet, any welcome materials you received when you started, or ask your manager. You can also look for IT contact information on posters or signs around your office. Write down the official number and keep it somewhere safe so you have it if you need help in the future.