Guide

# The Old IT Person or Web Designer Has All the Passwords: How to Take Back Control

Your former IT person, web designer or employee set everything up, and only they know the logins. Here is how to inventory your accounts, recover access and make sure it never happens again.

By the Wisconsin Tech Shop team · Updated October 31, 2026

**Short answer:** List every system your business depends on, recover what you can through email resets, request transfers for the rest, and move everything into business-owned accounts and a shared password manager. Do it before you urgently need something.

## Systems to check

- Domain registrar and DNS
- Website hosting or builder
- Business email (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
- Google Business Profile, social media and ad accounts
- Payment processor, POS and accounting
- Wi-Fi, firewall and router admin
- Backups and software subscriptions

## How to take back control

- Ask politely first. Most former vendors will hand over logins or add you as an owner.
- Use password resets on accounts tied to a business email you control.
- For accounts on someone else’s email, use the platform’s ownership process with business documents.
- Change the passwords for anything that person could still reach.
- Remove old users, and check email forwarding rules and admin roles.

## Make it permanent

- Every account owned by the business, using a role email like admin@yourdomain.
- A shared password manager with at least two owners.
- Two-step verification with backup methods.
- A one-page list of every system and who manages it.

Our [tech audit](https://wisconsintechshop.com/it-support/tech-audit/) does all of this and leaves you with a clean inventory. We can also [manage Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace](https://wisconsintechshop.com/it-support/microsoft-365-google-workspace-admin/) going forward.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a former vendor keep our logins?

Contracts vary, but accounts paid for by and registered to your business are generally yours. Most situations resolve with a polite request and proof of ownership.

### What should we secure first?

Email and the domain. Whoever controls those can usually reset everything else.

## Related services

- [Small Business Technology Audit](https://wisconsintechshop.com/it-support/tech-audit/): A clear review of your computers, software, subscriptions, security and website, with a prioritized plan and a list of costs you can cut. (From $250)
- [Password Manager Rollout for Teams](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/password-manager-rollout/): Stop sharing passwords on sticky notes and spreadsheets: a team password manager with shared vaults, strong unique passwords and clean offboarding. (From $200)
- [Domain & DNS Management](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/domain-dns-management/): Untangle domains and DNS: transfers, renewals, subdomains, email records and the "who has the login?" problem, all documented and in your name. (From $100)
- [Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace Help](https://wisconsintechshop.com/it-support/microsoft-365-google-workspace-admin/): Set up and manage Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace: users, shared mailboxes, Teams or Drive, permissions, security and licensing that fits. (From $150)

## Related quick fixes

- [An Employee Left](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/employee-left-offboarding/)
- [Locked Out of Microsoft 365 Admin](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/lost-microsoft-365-admin-access/)
- [Your Web Designer Disappeared](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/web-designer-disappeared/)
- [Team Sharing Passwords in a Spreadsheet or Group Chat](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/team-shares-passwords-in-spreadsheet/)

[All tech fixes](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/)

## Tell us what you need

Get a free, no-pressure quote from a Wisconsin development team. Tell us a little about your business and we'll reply within one business day with next steps, rough pricing and honest advice.

- Big projects and small ones are all welcome
- Fixed-price quotes, no surprise invoices
- You own your code, data and accounts
- A client portal to track progress, invoices and payments
- Rooted in Wisconsin, serving businesses nationwide

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Source: https://wisconsintechshop.com/guides/former-it-person-has-the-passwords/
Contact: hello@wisconsintechshop.com · https://wisconsintechshop.com/contact/