These instructions are for new staff joining the Unified Administrative Service (UAS). You can see whether your institution or division is in the UAS.
Other staff outside the UAS should contact their local IT support department for help getting set up.
You will see some references to the Administrative Computing Network (ACN). Check with your line manager or local IT team if you will need access to this.
Checklist of IT set-up tasks when you join the University:
- get your IT accounts
- set up your University account password (formerly called Raven) and self-service password recovery
- login to your new laptop or PC
- set up multi-factor authentication
- set up your email
- set up Teams
- access files and folders
- connect to wifi
- connect to a printer
- set up your devices so that you can work from home
- check your name on Lookup, the University's directory
- collect your University Card
- do your cyber security training
You can also find out about further IT services that are available.
1. Get your IT accounts
Your line manager will give you your Cambridge user ID (CRSid ) and a registration code. You’ll need these to get access to your University IT accounts and to be able to login to your University laptop or desktop.
- Go to jackdaw.cam.ac.uk/signup. If you're at the University on your first day, you can do this on your line manager’s computer or a colleague’s computer. If you're starting remotely, you can do this on a personal computer.
- Log in with your CRSid and registration code.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- You will be given a temporary password. Write it down as you cannot come back to it later.
2. Set up your University account password (formerly called Raven) and self-service recovery
Create a new University account password that you can use to access many University-wide systems. You will also be able to add additional contact details so you can reset your password if you forget it, or it gets compromised:
- Go to password.raven.cam.ac.uk. If you're at the University on your first day, you can do this on your line manager’s computer or a colleague’s computer. If you're starting remotely, you can do this on a personal computer.
- Log in with your CRSid and temporary password.
- Change your password.
- Set up self-service password recovery. This allows you to reset your password if you forget it.
3. Log in to your new laptop or PC
If you have a new University Managed Desktop (UMD) Dell laptop running Windows
If you work in the Research Office your laptop will need to be attached to the network with a cable for the set-up process.
- Unpack your device and power on. The device will then start setting up.
- If prompted to connect to a network you can use a docking station, if available. Or select a University network such as UniofCam-Guest. If you're starting remotely use your home wifi.
- When setup is complete login to your device with your @cam.ac.uk email address and University account password (formerly Raven).
- Open the Company Portal app from the Start menu. This may take up to 5 minutes to appear. Choose your institution, and download any software you require.
Find out more about your new Dell laptop
If you have a new University Managed Desktop (UMD) Apple device
Please follow the instructions on how to set up a new Apple device.
If you’re using a PC or laptop on the Administrative Computing Network
If you've been given a laptop to work from home, you need to be attached to the network by cable the first time you log in.
Your account is associated with your CRSid and email address. It gives you secure access to any PC on the ACN as well as various remote access systems.
- Username: INTERNAL\CRSid
- Password: <Your University account password>
After you log in for the first time, you do not need to include ‘INTERNAL\’ in the username.
4. Set up multi-factor authentication
When you sign into your Microsoft 365 account for the first time, you will need to set up your second authentication. Make sure you set up more than one on different devices to ensure you never lose access to your account. For example, the Microsoft Authenticator mobile app and codes sent via text to your mobile.
Set up multi-factor authentication
5. Set up Outlook
Your Microsoft Exchange email account can take up to an hour to activate, although it's usually quicker.
- Open Outlook the app by selecting the Start button on your Windows device or by gong to Finder then Applications on a Mac. You should see Outlook in the list of apps
- On the ‘Welcome to Outlook’ screen, enter your [your crsid]@cam.ac.uk and select ‘Connect’.
- On the next screen your email address should be prefilled. Enter your University account password (formerly called Raven) password on the following screen.
- You’ll be asked to authenticate with the second factor authentication method you set up previously.
- Your email account should then load.
You can add a shared mailbox if you need access to one.
You will also need to create a new email signature. You can use the University standard email signature template if needed.
6. Set up Teams
- Open Teams by selecting the Start button on your Windows device or by gong to Finder then Applications on a Mac. You should see Teams in the list of apps
- On the sign in screen, enter your email address. Use your crsid@cam.ac.uk, not your @admin email address. Select ‘Next’.
- On the next screen, enter your University account password (formerly called Raven).
7. Access your files and folders
OneDrive and SharePoint teams sites
You will have the OneDrive app on your new device which you can use to store documents that are personal to you. You may also have a SharePoint team site for storing shared documents that you can collaborate on with your team.
Find out more about OneDrive and SharePoint
Z drive: if you have a University Managed Desktop (UMD) Windows laptop
If you’re using a Windows device you will also have access to the Z drive which is a shared drive. You will need to check with your new team or your local IT team if you should have access to this.
If you are unable to see the Z drive:
- Go the Start button on your Windows device and find the Company Portal app.
- Select 'Settings’ and then select ‘Sync’. This may take a moment.
- After syncing the Z drive should appear.
You can pin folders that you use regularly to your quick access folder so you can access them directly without going through the Z:Drive. If you right-click on the folder you want to add to quick access, and then select ‘Pin to Quick Access’.
8. Connect to wifi
We provide wifi access points in all University buildings and the most of the Colleges for the ‘eduroam’ network.
Set up devices to connect to eduroam and automatically stay connected to the network around Cambridge.
9. Connect to a printer
You can use our multi-function devices (MFDs) printers in many locations across the University to print, copy and scan to email. You can print from your own devices when connected to the University network or the University VPN. You'll also need to install the Print Deploy software first.
If you use the ACN
Read how to connect your printer to PCs on the ACN network.
10. Set up your devices so that you can work from home
Access your email and other Microsoft applications
You can access Outlook and other Microsoft 365 applications using a web browser while working remotely. Login with your CRSid@cam.ac.uk email address and your University account password (formerly Raven).
Set up the VPN
You can access most of the University's systems and online resources using your University account (formerly Raven). You can also set up virtual private network (VPN) access for resources that normally require you to be connected directly to the University Data Network or the Administrative Computer Network (ACN).
Map your shared drives to your laptop (for ACN devices)
You can access network drives on your computer when it's not connected to the wired network in your University office. For example, when you're working remotely.
Once complete, your drives should now appear under ‘My PC’. You’ll have to connect to the ACN VPN each time you are working from home to reach the mapped drives.
11. Check your name on Lookup, the University's directory
You can search for University members’ contact information in Lookup. You should check and amend your display name, if needed
12. Collect your University Card
Your University of Cambridge identity card is used to grant building access. If you lose it or have any problems with it, talk to your institutional Card Representative to get a replacement.
13. Do your cyber security training
Increase your awareness and understanding of the risks of working online. You can also find out what you can do to help mitigate them and protect the University.