Student Technology Guide (2021-2022)
A technology overview for UWL students.
Quicklinks:
- Your NetID
- Your Student ID Number
- Account and Password Management
- Duo
- Canvas
- WINGS
- UWL Mobile
- Virtual Desktop (WVD - Windows Virtual Desktop)
- Remote Computer Access
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Student Printing
- Online File Storage
- Antivirus & Malware Software
- Phishing Information - Cyber Security
- Computer Purchasing Advice
- Wireless Access: UWL-Eagle
- Wireless Access: UWL-Guest
- Access to Productivity Tools
- Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus for Students
- Zoom
- Software Purchases
- UWL Tech F.A.Q. - Technology Frequently Asked Questions
- Social Media
- Need online tech help?
- For more information
Your NetID
- For more information about your NetID, check out https://www.uwlax.edu/its/knowledge-base/netidemail/.
- *Note: Student accounts are deactivated and deleted or they lose access to their school accounts about 6 months after graduating or leaving UWL.
Your Student ID Number
Your student ID number is a 9 digit number that is only associated to you and it shows that you are a part of UWL. This number should have been originally given to you by Admissions, but your student ID number can also be retrieved from Records and Registration if you have miss-placed or have forgotten it overall. Your student ID number is not the same as your NetID and it is used for a various of reasons, especially when needing to use the password reset page in order to activate your NetID for the first time, to recover your "Expired or Forgotten" password or to be able to use the "one-time" passcode code option for Duo as a back-up (see "Account and Password Management" below to learn more about the password reset utility page and what it has to offer).
- *Note: If you need assistance with a physical student ID card, then please reach out to the Card Office instead. Information about physical student ID cards can be found here too: https://www.uwlax.edu/university-centers/services/eagle-id-card/eagle-id/.
Account and Password Management

Duo
Duo is our 2-step authentication method needed when logging into UWL accounts, like Canvas, WINGS and email. This authentication method requires a second device, like using the Duo Mobile app on a smartphone, which is our most recommended and most common choice of Duo device. When logging in, you will need your username and password along with the numerical code that a Duo device generates. These codes change after a short time interval and can only be obtained from a Duo activated device which is assigned to your account. This makes your account more secure against online attacks and phishing because if your password becomes compromised, only you have access to the Duo device for your account.
- Need more information about Duo? Then check out our KB: Duo - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Canvas
- Call Canvas Support first for any Canvas related issues at 1(833)-826-8719 or for more information about Canvas Support, check out this KB article: Canvas - How do I get help with Canvas?
- For more information about how to access Canvas, then check out this KB article: Canvas - Accessing Canvas for Students.
WINGS
- Log in at: http://wings.uwlax.edu.
- WINGS Help: https://www.uwlax.edu/wings/
- For more information about how to access WINGS, then check out this KB article: WINGS - How do I log in?
UWL Mobile

Virtual Desktop (WVD - Windows Virtual Desktop)
- For more information, go to: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/system-administration/virtual-desktop/ or WVD - Windows Virtual Desktop.
Remote Computer Access
New this year is another way to get access to computers on campus remotely. Remote Computer Access allows you to access computers physically sitting on campus like in Murphy Library or a computer classroom. This also allows access to software not available in the Virtual Desktop like Adobe Creative Cloud, Tableau, and OriginLab to name a few. Please see the below KB article on how to use Remote Computer Access.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) 
UWL's VPN service allows any UWL associate to connect to campus remotely from any available network connection almost anywhere in the world: including from home, from many hotels, and even from within some company networks.
- You can find more information at: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/network-telecom/vpn-virtual-private-network/.
Student Printing 
You can print remotely to multiple printers on campus from your computer using your NetID.
- You can find more information at: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/client-services-and-support/pay-for-print/.
Online File Storage
- More information about Online File Storage can be found here at: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/system-administration/file-storage/.
Antivirus & Malware Software 
- For more information go to: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/client-services-and-support/antivirus-malware-information/.
Phishing Information - Cyber Security
Sometimes you may receive "phishy" or spam-like emails sent to your UWL email account. Thus, we encourage UWL students to be on the lookout for potential phishing attacks and emails.
- For more information about phishing, check out Phishing - How to Spot a Phishing Email.
Computer Purchasing Advice
Wireless Access: UWL-Eagle 
- To learn more about connecting to the campus Wi-Fi go to: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/network-telecom/campus-wireless-services/.
Wireless Access: UWL-Guest
UWL-Guest is available to family, friends and guests for Internet-only access. One other reason to use UWL-Guest is to connect to your smart TV or gaming consoles to the wireless network if staying on-campus. Register them at https://mydevices.uwlax.edu. Once registered, connect the device to the UWL-Guest wireless. For more information about the "My Devices Portal," then please check out this KB here: Wireless - My Device Portal
Access to Productivity Tools
Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus for Students
Zoom
- UWL provides students a Zoom account that they can use to host and join Zoom meetings with and information about how to sign into your UWL Zoom account can be found here: Zoom - How do I sign in?.
- Related KB article: Zoom Support - FAQs
Software Purchases

UWL Tech F.A.Q. - Technology Frequently Asked Questions
- PC or Mac?
- We support both at UWL, so it’s up to you
- Dell provides education pricing at https://www.dell.com/uwlax. Prices start around $800. Typical price (XPS13) around $1100
- Apple provides education pricing at https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop. Prices start around $850. Typical price (MBP13) around $1500.
- What are some recommended minimum computer specs?
- 256 GB SSD Storage
- 16 GB RAM
- Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- Latest Windows 10 or MacOS
- Increased storage, RAM, and processor speed are better if your budget allows.
- Can I use a Chromebook or iPad?
- We do not recommend these as primary devices. They are great additional resources to a laptop or desktop, but they are not sufficient replacements.
- What software do I need to buy?
- We provide Microsoft Office 365 for FREE! Students can download Office from their email portal.
- Antivirus software is recommended. Paid versions offer more features, but there are free options available. Examples: Bitdefender, Avira, Webroot, Malwarebytes
- Depending on your major, you may want/need to buy additional software such as Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Should I buy a printer?
- We have a printing available on campus. The rates are $0.05/page for black-and-white and $0.60/page for color prints.
- Personal printers cannot use Wi-Fi and must be connected via USB to a student’s computer.
- Is Wi-Fi available on campus?
- Wi-Fi is available for FREE to all students by connecting to UWL-Eagle
- UWL-Guest is available for visitors
- Personal routers not allowed
- Do other electronics work on campus Wi-Fi?
- Home devices are designed to work well on home networks, but many of them will not work on our enterprise network. We offer a MyDevices portal where these devices can be added to our network, but we do not guarantee all of these products will work.
- Devices include: Smart TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Firestick, Chromecast, Echo, HomePod, Google Home, etc.
Social Media

Need online tech help?

For more information go to:
- Eagle Help Desk KB Article: Eagle Help Desk Hours
- Eagle Help Desk Website: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/client-services-and-support/eagle-help-desk/
- ITS Website: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/
- Student Technology Guide on the ITS website: https://www.uwlax.edu/its/knowledge-base/student-technology-guide/