Once you have received your Mac computer from UCCS, follow the instructions below to get signed in for the first time:

Ethernet Requirement

Due to limitations in macOS, you must be connected to a wired internet (Ethernet) connection when logging in for the first time. After the first time, you can simply log in and then connect to WiFi once you get to the desktop if Ethernet is inconvenient.

As this is a limitation of macOS itself, there is no way to bypass this. iMacs with Intel chips, Mac Minis, and Mac Studios have Ethernet ports on the back while M1 iMacs usually have an Ethernet port on the power brick. Most Macbooks will need a USB type C to Ethernet adapter or a USB type C dock with an Ethernet port. 

Logging into the Guest account

Once you have the computer hooked up to a mouse, keyboard, power, and Ethernet, turn the computer on and wait until you see a login screen with a Username and Password field.

Type in "guest" (without the quotes) into the Username field and leave the Password field blank and press the Enter key to login (you may need to press Enter twice).

Connecting to the UCCSVPN

Near the top-right of the screen should be a WiFi icon (it may be grayed out). Click on it and click the Network Preferences... option.

A settings window should now pop up. Click on UCCSVPN in the left-hand column of this window. Then check the box next to Show VPN status in menu bar.

There should now be a new icon near the WiFi symbol at the top right of the screen that looks like this:

Click on the new icon and then click Connect UCCSVPN

The menu may not look exactly like the image above. The Connect UCCSVPN option should be either the first or second option.

A window will then pop up asking for a Username and Password. Please enter in your UCCS username and password (without  "@uccs.edu" at the end of your username).

If no error messages pop up, you have successfully connect to the UCCSVPN!

Logging out of the Guest account

Navigate to the top left of the screen and click on the Apple logo.

Once the menu appears, click Log Out Guest User...


Anther window will pop up prompting you to Delete Files & Log Out. You can safely select this option.

Logging in for the First Time

Back at the login screen now, enter your UCCS username and password (with "@uccs.edu" at the end of your username (without the quotes)).

The login screen should disappear and, after about a minute, you should be taken through the First Time Setup. You can configure these settings however you would prefer.

Once you are back at the desktop, your account is all set up! You will now no longer need to be connected via Ethernet to log in. 

Notes on account Password Resets:

Next time you need to reset your UCCS account password, you will need to connect to the UCCSVPN for a few minutes for the password to update on your Mac. If you are not logged into your Mac when you perform the reset, you may need to use your old password to log into the Mac before you connect to the UCCSVPN.

Connect to the UCCSVPN Often

Please connect to the UCCSVPN often and leave it connected for as much as you are able. The Macs need to be connected to campus so your account retains Administrator Access as well as get your latest account credentials (see above). If the Mac is not connected to the UCCSVPN for an extended period of time, it will continue to fail to talk to our management server and may start to exhibit odd behavior.

If you notice your Mac is behaving oddly, try connecting it to the UCCSVPN for a few minutes as a first troubleshooting step. After that, please feel free to contact the Service Desk for further assistance.



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