Information Commons (South Side)

Wireless Access: Laptops

About the Campus Wireless Network

Users with laptops can connect to the University of Toronto campus wireless network (UTORcwn). There are two UTORcwns available to the U of T community: UTORwin and UofT. These are the only two service set identifications at U of T.

For coverage maps and to check current wireless status, visit UTORcwn.

See Also:
Connecting to the Internet using Mobile Devices (e.g. iPad, Blackberry, and etc.), through UofT or UTORwin.

It is likely that your wireless device might detect various networks with similar names to the UTORcwn. Any network that can accept connections without prompting you for a password is not part of the UTORcwn and is not supported by the library.

Rules Regarding Wireless Usage

Usage of UTORcwn is subject to all existing policies for the appropriate use of information technology.

Before Accessing U of T’s Wireless networks

Before you attempt to connect to the wireless network, please make sure that you follow these steps. This is applicable to all users:


  1. Check your eligibility: only U of T students, staff and faculty are able to use the UTORcwn.
  2. Verify your UTORid. You will need it along with a valid password to access the network.

Connecting to UofT

Windows 8:

  1. Ensure that the wireless device on your laptop is turned on and enabled.
  2. Click on the wireless icon from the desktop.
  3. Choose UofT and click Connect.step three
  4. Type your UTORid and password in the appropriate fields. Click OK.
    step four
  5. If you see a warning message, click Connect.step five
  6. Once you are connected, right-click UofT and select View connection properties.
    step 6
  7. Click Advanced settings.
  8. Place a checkmark beside Specify authentication mode and choose User authentication from the drop-down menu. Click Save credentials and then OK .step 8
  9. Type your UTORid and password in the appropriate fields. Click OK.
    step 9

Windows 7:

  1. Ensure that the wireless device on your laptop is turned on and enabled.
  2. Click on the wireless icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the desktop.
  3. Under Wireless Network Connection, click UofT and then click Connect.
  4. A dialogue window will appear. Enter your UTORid and password and click OK.
    step 4
  5. If you a warning message appears on the desktop, click Connect. step 5

Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6

  1. Click the wireless network icon in top right corner to make sure that AirPort is turned on. If not, select Turn Airport On. step 1
  2. Click on the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the desktop and select UofT.
    step 2
  3. An authentication window, prompting you for your UTORid and password will appear. Enter the necessary information and under 802.1X, select Automatic. Place a check mark beside Remember this network and click OK.
    step 3

Connecting to UTORwin

In order to access the UTORcwn, you will need to set up a new wireless network profile. This has to be done only once per term.

Windows 7:

  1. Ensure that the wireless device on your laptop is turned on and enabled.
  2. Click on the wireless icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the desktop.
  3. Go to Open Network and Sharing Center » Manage Wireless Networks.
    step 3
  4. In the window that opens, click Add on the left-hand side.
    step 5
  5. Click Manually Create a Network Profile.step 4
  6. Enter the settings as outlined in the image below and click Next.step 6
    Your computer should now detect and connect to UTORwin.

Older versions of Windows and Mac OS X:
If you require instructions on connecting to the network using older versions of these operating systems, please consult Help Desk Knowledge Base: Wireless Access.

Mac OS X:

  1. Make sure that the wireless hardware and software on your laptop are enabled.
    step 1
  2. Click on the wireless network icon in the top right corner.
    step 2
  3. Select UTORwin from the list of the network connections.
    step 3
  4. Enter UToronto1home for password as prompted.
    step 4
    Place a check mark beside the option Remember this network to avoid having to re-enter the settings in the future.
  5. Click OK to complete the configuration.
  6. Open your browser and go to http://www.connect.utoronto.ca. Enter your UTORid and password and click on Login now .

Logging In

If you use UTORwin, you are required to log in with your UTORid before you can use the wireless. Normally the wireless system will redirect you to the login page, but you can also access it by going to http://connect.utoronto.ca.step 1

Logging Out

To log out, go to http://connect.utoronto.ca and click on Logout to terminate the wireless session.step 1

Endpoint Security Policy Test

Running the ESP test is no longer required to connect to the UTORcwn.

Supported Wi-Fi Standards

  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11n

Signal Strength

Like all wireless networks, radio strength for the CWN is not uniform across campus. If you experience slow or unreliable connection, please relocate closer to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Technical Support

If you require technical assistance at any step of connecting to the network, please consult our staff at the IT Support Desk.