• Note: This document is a mirror of the instructions found in UW-Madison Box - Creating an External Password for Use with Applications that Do Not Support NetID Login.

UW-Madison users can generally log into their UW-Madison Box accounts using their NetID and password. While this is true for the web client, desktop client, mobile clients, and some apps, other third-party applications may not be configured to use Single Sign On (SSO).

If an app integrates with Box.com, but does not use SSO, you will need to have an external password created that can be used for authentication within the app.

1. Log into Box.

2. In the upper right-hand corner on the page, click on the menu labeled with your account avatar (Note: this will be your initials if you have not uploaded an image). Then, select Account Settings from the drop-down menu.

   

3. Scroll down until you find the Authentication section. If you have never created a password, it will say "No Password Created". Click on Create Password.

   • Note: You do not need to remember an external password to reset it.
   

4. Begin typing your desired password in the New Password field. As you do, the meter below the text field will report the strength of your password choice. Re-type the password in the second field and click Save when ready.

   • Note: For security reasons, your external password should not be the same as your NetID password.
     
     
   

5. If your password doesn't meet the UW Madison Box password requirements you will see a message at the top of the screen that states the current requirements. If the password was reset successfully, you will see a confirmation message.

6. You should now be able to log into Box-integrated apps that don't use SSO by entering your your account's primary email address (in the format netid@wisc.edu) as the username, in combination with your external password.