Getting Started

How to Reset Your FVSD Password

Having trouble logging in? This guide walks you through resetting your FVSD password.

Before You Start

Your FVSD account uses one password across all services — email, computer login, Google Workspace, and more. Changing your password will update it everywhere.

Option 1: Reset Your Password From the Login Screen (Windows)

  1. On the Windows login screen, click Reset Password or I forgot my password
  2. Enter your FVSD email address (e.g., jsmith@fvsd.ab.ca)
  3. Complete the verification step (you may be asked to confirm your phone number or answer a security question)
  4. Create a new password following the requirements below
  5. Click Submit

Option 2: Change Your Password While Logged In

If you can still log in but want to change your password:

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard
  2. Click Change a password
  3. Enter your current password
  4. Enter your new password twice
  5. Press Enter

Option 3: Reset via Microsoft 365 Online

  1. Go to https://portal.office.com
  2. Enter your FVSD email address
  3. Click Can't access your account?
  4. Follow the prompts to verify your identity
  5. Create a new password

Password Requirements

Your new password must meet the following:

Contact IT

If none of the options above work:

Please include:

New Staff Onboarding: What to Expect From IT

Welcome to FVSD! This guide explains how your IT account and access are set up when you join the division.

How Your Account Is Created

Your FVSD account is created automatically once you've been entered and activated in the HR system (Atrieve) by your school office. IT cannot create your account manually — the HR record must come first.

If you don't have an account yet, contact your school office and ask them to confirm that your record is active in Atrieve.

What Happens Automatically

Once your Atrieve record is active, the following are set up for you automatically:

You do not need to request these — they are assigned based on your HR information.

What You'll Need to Do

1. Get Your Login Credentials

Your school office or IT will provide your initial username and temporary password. You'll be asked to change your password on first login.

2. Sign In to Your Computer

  1. Log in to your FVSD computer with your email and password
  2. A PaperCut popup will appear — click Sign in with Microsoft to set up printing

3. Access Your Email

What to Request From IT

Some things aren't set up automatically and need a ticket:

See the Requesting Access and Permissions article for details.

Common Questions

Q: I started working but still don't have an account.

A: Your account depends on your HR record in Atrieve. Check with your school office to make sure you've been entered and activated in the system.

Q: I have an account but I'm missing access to certain resources.

A: Many resources are assigned automatically based on your role and school. If your role or school is incorrect in Atrieve, your access won't match. Check with your school office first. For manually assigned resources, submit a request to IT.

Q: I'm a substitute or temporary staff — do I get an account?

A: Substitute and temporary staff accounts depend on being entered in Atrieve. Contact your school office to confirm.

Contact IT

Web Browsers

This guide covers the browsers available on FVSD computers and tips for troubleshooting common issues.

Supported Browsers

We recommend Edge for the seamless sign-in experience, but you're welcome to use Chrome if you prefer.

Clearing Your Browser Cache

If a website isn't loading correctly, is showing outdated content, or is running slowly, clearing the cache often fixes it.

Chrome

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
  2. Set the time range to All time
  3. Check Cached images and files (and Cookies if needed — note this will sign you out of websites)
  4. Click Clear data

Edge

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete
  2. Set the time range to All time
  3. Check Cached images and files
  4. Click Clear now

Managing Bookmarks

Adding a Bookmark

Accessing Bookmarks

Browser Extensions

Common Questions

Q: A website isn't loading or shows an error.

A: Try these steps in order:

  1. Refresh the page (Ctrl + R or F5)
  2. Clear your browser cache (see above)
  3. Try the site in a different browser
  4. If it still doesn't work, it may be a site-level issue or blocked by the network filter — contact IT

Q: I keep getting pop-ups or redirects.

A: Do not click on any pop-ups. Close the browser and reopen it. If the issue continues, contact IT — your browser may need to be reset.

Q: A site I need for work is blocked.

A: Some sites are blocked by the FVSD network filter. If you need a site unblocked for work or educational purposes, submit a ticket to IT with the URL and the reason you need access.

Q: Which browser should I use for [specific tool]?

A: As a general rule — Edge for Microsoft tools, Chrome for Google tools. Most sites work fine in either.

Contact IT

File Storage: Where to Save Your Files

This guide explains the different places you can store files at FVSD and when to use each one.

OneDrive (Recommended for Most Files)

OneDrive is your primary cloud storage, linked to your FVSD Microsoft 365 account.

OneDrive Sync

FVSD computers use the OneDrive sync tool to automatically back up your Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders to the cloud. This means files you save to these locations are synced to OneDrive automatically — you don't need to do anything extra.

Make sure OneDrive is running:

Important: Because Desktop, Documents, and Photos are synced, your files in these folders are backed up even though they appear to be on your local computer. However, the Downloads folder is not synced — avoid keeping important files there.

SharePoint

SharePoint is for shared team or school-level documents.

Google Drive

Google Drive is linked to your FVSD Google Workspace account.

Your Computer's Local Storage (C: Drive)

Your Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders are synced to OneDrive and are backed up automatically. However, other locations on your computer are not backed up:

Quick Reference

| Where | Best For | Backed Up? | Accessible From Other Devices? |

|-------|----------|------------|-------------------------------|

| OneDrive | Personal work files | Yes | Yes |

| SharePoint | Shared team/school files | Yes | Yes |

| Google Drive | Google Classroom and Google tool files | Yes | Yes |

| Desktop / Documents / Photos | Personal files (synced to OneDrive) | Yes | Yes |

| Downloads / other local folders | Temporary files only | No | No |

Common Questions

Q: My OneDrive isn't syncing.

A: Check the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom-right). If there's a warning or error, click it for details. Try restarting OneDrive. If it still won't sync, contact IT.

Q: I accidentally deleted a file.

A: Check the Recycle Bin on your desktop (for local files) or the Trash/Recycle Bin in OneDrive, SharePoint, or Google Drive. Deleted files are usually recoverable for 30-90 days.

Q: I'm running out of storage.

A: Delete files you no longer need and empty the recycle bin/trash. If you're still running low, contact IT.

Contact IT