You are receiving a UMN-managed computer. Please remember, this computer is for you to perform your UMN related work on and should not be used as a personally-owned device.
Follow the instructions below to log into your new computer.
Note: It can take up to 10 minutes to log onto a Windows computer for the first time.
Logging In for the First Time with Windows 10 or 11
An internet connection is required to set up your new computer.
The first time you log in to your University computer it requires a connection to the University of Minnesota domain. Connecting to a University network or to the Eduroam campus WiFi for the first time logon will connect to the domain. These instructions were created to help you log in from home using VPN without needing to come on campus to login using the University's network.
- Turn on the computer and wait until you see the Login screen.
- Connect to your home WiFi network or Ethernet connection.
- You can click on the Internet button on the bottom right corner of your screen to pull up a list of nearby WiFi connections.
- This button will look different depending on if you're using Windows 10
or Windows 11 
- Your Internet button might look like a "globe" icon
when no network is connected.
- This button will look different depending on if you're using Windows 10
- You can click on the Internet button on the bottom right corner of your screen to pull up a list of nearby WiFi connections.
- Click on Network sign-in to connect to the University of Minnesota VPN.
- This button will look different depending on if you're using Windows 10
or Windows 11 
- This button will look different depending on if you're using Windows 10
- Select the UMN - First Time Logon option in the drop-down field.
- Use your UMN Internet ID and password to log in.
- Your Internet ID credentials are also used for UMN email or MyU login pages.
- Note: If you find any issues logging in at this point, reboot your computer and try logging in again
- Your new device may need to install Cisco Secure Client or Windows updates in order to use First Time Login.
- Click OK, and you will be prompted to authenticate using Duo multi factor authentication.
- It will start to spin while it is waiting for a Duo Authentication.
- Note: If you find an error that mentions Unresolved domain name resolution, try choosing UMN - Split Tunnel - General Access from the dropdown menu and try to connect again.
- If your default Duo authentication is a push notification to your smartphone, please open the Duo Mobile app on your phone immediately after signing into the VPN, as the notification sometimes does not pop up on your phone.
- If push notifications are not enabled for your Duo account, please see our Duo authentication guide for VPN: Using Duo Append Mode with Cisco Secure Client.
- If you use an alternate method and need help connecting to VPN, Technology Help can help specify the alternate methods for VPN sign in.
- A notification for Cisco Secure Client will appear indicating you're on a VPN connection which is only intended for first logon or password resets.
- Click Accept.
- Log in to Windows.
- If your Unit is not a member of the Healthcare Component (HCC), use your UMN Internet ID and password to log in.
- If your Unit is a member of the Healthcare Component (HCC), use your HST Active Directory (ADia) credentials to log in.
- Please contact Technology Help with any questions regarding using ADia.
- After you have logged in to your user profile one time using the First Time VPN method, you do not need to repeat it again on subsequent logins.
- For future logins to your computer, you can enter your Internet ID and Password like normal without connecting to VPN first.
Connect to VPN after First Time Sign In
As many people will continue to be working remotely, you will inevitably need to connect to the UMN VPN to access certain websites, applications, or file shares.
If your Unit is a member of the Healthcare Component (HCC):
- To be added as a remote desktop user of a HST device or if you need access to the AHC01 VPN Departmental Pool, you must fill out the HST - Virtual Private Network (VPN) service request form.
- Follow HST/AHC: VPN and Remote Desktop Setup
If your Unit is not within the Healthcare Component:
- Check that you are connected to your home Internet.
- Click on the Windows Start menu, type in and search for Cisco Secure Client, and open the application.
- Choose the UMN - Split Tunnel option and click Connect.
- Enter your username and password, and complete the Duo multi factor authentication.
- Username: your UMN Internet ID.
- Password: your UMN Internet ID password.
- If push notifications are not enabled for your Duo account, please see our Duo authentication guide for VPN: Using Duo Append Mode with Cisco Secure Client.
- If your Cisco Secure Client VPN does not show UMN - Split Tunnel - General Access VPN or AnyConnect-UofMvpnFull options:
- You can click on the Start Menu and search for Software Center and see if there are any Cisco Secure Client VPN updates pending.
- You may also click on the Install button to download the latest version of the Cisco Secure Client VPN client if the option appears.
For additional information on how to use Cisco Secure Client to connect to VPN, please visit the VPN Downloads and Guides page.
Installing Software
By default, this new computer comes with UMN standard software, which includes Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Powerpoint, Excel), Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Cisco Secure Client VPN, and Zoom.
Please check Software Center for any additional software you may need.
For more information about Software Center, please visit Software Center (ConfigMgr): Manage Applications on Your University Windows Device
Additional Support
If you run into any login or VPN issues or require additional software assistance, we recommend contacting Technology Help at 612-301-4357, email [email protected].
Our Service Desk and Desktop Support technicians can help you walk through more complex software installations and configurations if needed.