for students
As a UW student, you have access to a wide world of technology resources. Here's how to use them — from setting up email to getting tech support when you need it.
First Things First
More Information and Support
- Get a Computer or Use Ours
-
- To take full advantage of the many services available to you at the UW, your computer should be fast and have plenty of memory and disk space.
- Large computing centers with Windows and Macintosh computers are available in Mary Gates Hall and Odegaard Undergraduate Library for student use. Also, many schools and colleges have additional computing centers for their students.
The
UWare Software Guide
provides information about software available
free or at discounts to UW students.- The University Bookstore Tech Center offers significant discounts on software and hardware for students. Ask about Academic Discounts.
The Tools for Safe and
Secure Computing page provides all the
virus protection, terminal session, and file transfer
software you need to securely connect to and
use UW computing and networking services.- To prevent attacks on your computer, Protect your password, work with your computer support staff to keep your software up-to-date, and use virus protection software.
- Your UW NetID
-
Your
UW NetID is
your personal identification giving you access to
UW networking and computing services. If you are
working at the UW and have not already received
your UW NetID, you can create
your own.- Use the Manage Your UW NetID Services site to forward your email, turn on a vacation message, check on how much disk space you are using, add new services and much more.
- Student organizations registered with the Student Activities Office can create a shared UW NetID account for their projects.
- Connect to UW Networks
-
- You can connect to UW networks from on campus or off campus. Some libraries provide kiosks where you can directly plug into the UW networks.
Wireless
(wifi) is available in most buildings on
campus and in many areas outside of buildings,
including the HUB and Quadrangle lawns.
- Your Email
-
- Your default UW email address consists of your UW NetID followed by "@u.washington.edu" (your_uwnetid@u.washington.edu). You now also have the option of using the shorter "uw.edu" domain, but some configuration of your email program is necessary (see Using the uw.edu Address).
UW Outlook
Live is a free email service available
for current UW students, alumni, and former
students. It provides ad-free email and
calendaring with 10 GB of storage and continued
use of your @u.washington.edu or @uw.edu email
address. To activate a UW Outlook Live account,
you must sign up for a UW Windows Live ID.
UW Google
Email is a free email service available
for current UW students, alumni, and former
students. It provides ad-free email and
calendaring with over 7 GB of storage and
continued use of your @u.washington.edu or
@uw.edu email address. To activate a UW Google
Email account, you must sign up for UW Google
Apps services.
UW
Email (also known as UW Deskmail) is a free
email service available to all faculty, staff,
and students. You can use UW Email from any
networked computer available to you.- If you prefer to receive your email on some email service other than UW Email be sure to set your email forwarding by going to the Manage Your UW NetID Services site. Doing so ensures that email sent to your default my_uwnetid@u.washington.edu email address will reach you, including official email from the UW.
- MyUW
-
- MyUW is your personal Web page, giving you convenient access to the UW information you use most in a way that you can personalize to meet your own needs. In the Student Personal Services area in MyUW you can register for classes, check your Husky Card balance, and much more.
- Emergency Preparedness
-
Emergencies can happen anytime. Resources are available to keep you informed and allow you to continue your studies.
- The UW Emergency Management site contains extensive information about planning for and responding to emergencies.
- Sign up for UW Alerts and receive alerts on your cellphone or by email.
- Information About You
-
- The UW maintains an online directory for all its faculty, staff, and students. You can update your own directory information by entering MyUW, going to Student Personal Services box, and clicking on Change of Address. Take time to look at the other online personal services available to you.
- Student Technology Fee
-
- The Student Technology Fee that you paid along with your tuition helps provide and support many of the computing and networking services you have available to you here at the UW.
- Computer Training
-
- Free Catalyst Workshops can get you quickly started on using your computer and its software for word processing, graphics, videos, web publishing, and much more.
- Additional for-fee training in using computers is available through the UW Computer Training program.
- Your Studies
-
- Extensive resources supporting your education are available through the UW's Student Guide.
- Please take time to learn the rules and policy for proper use of UW resources.
- Keep in mind that UW policy and federal law (including the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, DMCA) require that all national and international copyrights be respected. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or termination of access to UW services.
