402:
under your former account. It is best that you completely avoid articles or topics that you previously edited, especially if you were involved in a dispute with another editor(s). If you do not make positive changes in your behavior, you may be recognized and held accountable for the actions of your past account(s). Likewise, if you want to make a clean start because of harassment from other editors, you should avoid editing articles that may place you in conflict with the same editors, because they will probably recognize you.
440:, changing accounts hides the editor's past relationship to the disputing parties, and interferes with the community's ability to monitor the dispute. It is not an appropriate use of clean start to resume editing contentious or scrutinized topics with a new account. Changing accounts, and then resuming to edit in a contentious area, carries a substantial risk that other editors will recognize you and connect your old and new accounts. You may be viewed as
52:
416:
areas and building a reputation as a "good" contributor before returning to former topics of interest. Remember that the goal of "clean start" is to make a positive change in your behavior so that you are not recognizable as your former account; returning immediately to areas of editing that were previously contentious makes it more probable that your previous account will be identified.
122:
378:, and get confirmation that there are no obvious problems with you following the clean start procedure. This may reduce the risk of misunderstandings that might result from "behind-the-scenes" discussions and investigations, and may assist you in an appeal of a mistaken block or sanction for creating an alternative account.
410:
It is only natural that editors will want to edit the same topics that drew them to
Knowledge in the first place. However, returning to a favorite topic after a clean start carries a substantial risk that other editors will recognize and connect the old and new accounts. This can result in arguments,
415:
For this reason, it is best to completely avoid old topic areas after a clean start. If you have a favorite topic that you wish to edit, it may be better to continue using the old account, clean up your behavior, and rebuild your reputation the hard way. Alternatively, spend some time editing other
401:
It is assumed that editors who change accounts under the terms of fresh start are seeking exactly that, a fresh start. You are responsible for editing in a manner that respects community norms of behavior and avoids association with disputes or poor behaviors that you might have been involved with
268:
is when a user stops using an old account to start fresh with a new account. The two most common reasons for wanting a clean start are recognizing past mistakes and avoiding harassment. The old account must be clearly discontinued and the new account must avoid editing patterns or behaviors that
276:. However, if an editor uses their new account to resume editing articles or topics in the same manner that resulted in a negative reputation in the first place (becoming involved in disputes, edit warring, or other forms of disruptive editing), the editor will
451:
The guiding principle is that clean start is not a license to resume editing in areas under heightened scrutiny. It is intended for users who wish to move on to new areas having learned from the past, or who wish to set aside old disputes and poor conduct.
475:
after a clean start often results in controversy. If the reasons for your clean start no longer apply, then your best option is to simply link the two accounts before your RFA and resolve any outstanding issues relating to the account that ceased editing.
288:. The behavior of the new account determines whether it is a legitimate fresh start or a prohibited attempt to evade scrutiny. A clean start is not permitted if there are active bans, blocks, or sanctions (including but not limited to those listed
468:(in strictest confidence if you wish) of the existence of a previous account or accounts prior to seeking adminship or similar functionary positions. Failure to do so may be considered deceptive, and be poorly received by the Knowledge community.
138:
may stop using their current account and start using a new one. Clean start does not guarantee the two accounts will not be connected, and a user who uses clean start to resume old habits of editing may be identified and seen as
510:– discusses how a user in good standing—upon leaving Knowledge forever—may request renaming of their account; deletion or blanking of user pages; and possibly the deletion or blanking of discussions related to their conduct.
269:
would allow other users to recognize and identify the account. It is expected that the new account will be a true "fresh start", will edit in new areas, will avoid old disputes, and will follow community norms of behavior.
339:
If you decide to make a fresh start and do not wish to be connected to a previous account, simply stop using the old account and create a new one that becomes the only account you use. As any editor in good standing may
528:– discusses how a sleeper account is still enabled and it is still possible to use it. However, any such use of an account must conform to Knowledge guidelines, particularly those of sockpuppetry.
688:
1164:
389:" carries with it the sense that you will not be held at fault for your actions. If you attempt a clean start but are recognized, you will be held accountable for your actions under
660:
522:– discusses user accounts or IP editors whose editing is limited to one very narrow area or set of articles, or whose edits to many articles appear to be for a common purpose.
1419:
1159:
1105:
1332:
479:
Becoming an administrator without admitting that you had a previous account risks losing the confidence of the community if the former account is subsequently revealed.
348:). To reduce the chance of misunderstandings, you should note on the user page of the old account (while logged in under that account) that it is inactive, by using the
698:
393:
the old and new accounts. The fact that you notified someone of the change will not excuse you from the consequences of your actions or protect you from recognition.
482:
If you want to become an administrator without revealing your former account, it is best to wait rather longer than if you had let people check your former account.
304:
Any user in good standing who has no active or unexpired sanctions and who is not being or about to be formally discussed for their conduct, may have a clean start.
1296:
1260:
1308:
1248:
912:
444:, which carries a risk of long-term blocks and bans. If you are unsure in a particular situation, you can ask a member of the Arbitration Committee or the
1403:
683:
405:
1356:
1212:
1176:
344:, you could consider renaming your old account before abandoning it, but this rename will be publicly logged and could draw more attention to you (see
1559:
30:
This page is about making a fresh start on
Knowledge. For removing personal information that you may have accidentally revealed about yourself, see
1200:
559:
374:
sanctions, you are not required to notify anyone of your clean start. However, you may find it helpful to notify the
Committee or a member of the
955:
852:
1497:
1455:
1320:
1272:
247:
1188:
754:
587:
419:
1344:
1011:
922:
436:. These areas should be completely avoided by the editor attempting a clean start. Even if the original account is not under a formal
1539:
950:
880:
768:
1554:
1284:
977:
645:
1502:
708:
497:
776:
1255:
1037:
890:
804:
640:
1303:
1224:
1183:
1049:
622:
552:
280:, and will be sanctioned accordingly. Changing accounts to avoid the consequences of past bad behaviors is usually seen as
17:
1450:
424:
Certain articles and topics are particularly contentious, and have attracted additional community scrutiny in the form of
1637:
1443:
1327:
972:
675:
1438:
1154:
1129:
799:
500:– discusses how the use of a second account, unless explicitly permitted by the rules, is a violation known to many as
310:
Any user who has currently active bans, blocks or other sanctions imposed (including, but not limited to, those listed
161:
1460:
1586:
1431:
1368:
1236:
784:
655:
240:
60:
1391:
1095:
1085:
747:
693:
612:
519:
472:
455:
1642:
1479:
984:
885:
632:
545:
491:
465:
371:
375:
1549:
1363:
1291:
1023:
917:
895:
582:
437:
289:
206:
152:
516:– discusses how sometimes active users decide to retire from, or leave, Knowledge and may return at any point.
1569:
1534:
1484:
201:
592:
1606:
1527:
1279:
1231:
1141:
1117:
1033:
900:
794:
764:
507:
429:
233:
181:
441:
323:
281:
1632:
1591:
1243:
1042:
1028:
967:
907:
847:
740:
341:
35:
131:
68:
994:
334:
1544:
1351:
1207:
1171:
1090:
1054:
940:
864:
842:
716:
617:
602:
525:
216:
1522:
1514:
1386:
1146:
1064:
1059:
1006:
721:
191:
39:
1489:
1195:
859:
650:
386:
359:
396:
365:
1596:
1080:
999:
568:
211:
186:
104:
90:
1576:
1426:
1398:
825:
789:
531:
989:
97:
1470:
1315:
1267:
1219:
945:
597:
494:– makes a case for editors with alternate accounts declaring them sooner rather than later.
196:
38:. For restarting your account with a block or ban after a period without sockpuppetry, see
8:
1601:
1581:
1414:
1410:
1100:
1018:
960:
835:
809:
285:
221:
176:
31:
34:. For changing your username but re-attributing past contributions to the new name, see
1339:
1112:
513:
311:
166:
140:
82:
72:
314:); or is currently or about to be formally discussed for their conduct (such as at an
1611:
665:
273:
732:
352:
345:
319:
830:
135:
1564:
501:
445:
433:
277:
1626:
425:
315:
278:
probably be recognized (as a "sockpuppet") and connected to the old account
413:
even if your behavior while using the new account was entirely proper.
460:
You are not obliged to reveal previous accounts; however, it is
67:
It describes a widely accepted standard that all editors should
537:
485:
295:
762:
661:
Don't be quick to assume that someone is a sockpuppet
358:tag or leaving some other message. You may not use
1624:
411:further loss of reputation, and blocks or bans,
748:
553:
241:
913:On privacy, confidentiality and discretion
755:
741:
560:
546:
248:
234:
71:follow. Changes made to it should reflect
406:Returning to previous articles and topics
59:This page documents an English Knowledge
272:A genuine clean start is not considered
14:
1625:
498:Knowledge:Consequences of sockpuppetry
471:Seeking or accepting a nomination for
853:Usernames for administrator attention
736:
541:
307:Users who may not have a clean start
292:) in place against the old account.
116:
46:
24:
978:UTRS Unblock Ticket Request System
420:Contentious and scrutinized topics
25:
1654:
567:
520:Knowledge:Single purpose account
301:Users who may have a clean start
284:and may also lead to additional
120:
50:
1540:Editorial oversight and control
381:Be aware that no one can grant
360:more than one account at a time
881:Password strength requirements
492:Knowledge:Anything to declare?
13:
1:
385:for a clean start. The term "
322:); or is attempting to evade
508:Knowledge:Courtesy vanishing
318:or in an open case with the
7:
891:Personal security practices
805:IP addresses are not people
689:Administrators instructions
397:Editing after a clean start
366:Notification and permission
36:Knowledge:Changing username
10:
1659:
1638:Knowledge conduct policies
656:An obvious sock is obvious
316:administrative noticeboard
80:
29:
1513:
1469:
1379:
1140:
1073:
973:Guide to appealing blocks
931:
896:Two-factor authentication
873:
818:
775:
707:
674:
631:
575:
526:Knowledge:Sleeper account
1328:Pending changes reviewer
1155:Requests for permissions
932:Blocks, bans, sanctions,
141:trying to evade scrutiny
130:A user who is not under
128:This page in a nutshell:
40:Knowledge:Standard offer
1587:Policies and guidelines
1439:Interface administrator
1369:Volunteer Response Team
777:Unregistered (IP) users
362:in most circumstances.
1643:Knowledge sockpuppetry
1096:Vandalism-only account
1086:Single-purpose account
785:Why create an account?
694:Requests for checkuser
613:Single-purpose account
456:Requests for adminship
1480:Arbitration Committee
985:Blocking IP addresses
886:User account security
532:Right to be forgotten
466:Arbitration Committee
372:Arbitration Committee
370:If you are not under
320:Arbitration Committee
1550:Wikimedia Foundation
1380:Advanced user groups
1364:Global rights policy
923:How to not get outed
918:Compromised accounts
860:Unified login or SUL
464:that you inform the
462:strongly recommended
426:requests for comment
335:How to "clean start"
207:Ownership of content
132:current restrictions
18:Knowledge:Cleanstart
1535:Formal organization
1485:Bot approvals group
1427:Edit filter manager
1292:Mass message sender
1074:Related to accounts
438:editing restriction
430:community sanctions
330:have a clean start.
202:No personal attacks
32:Knowledge:Oversight
1633:Knowledge policies
1607:Dispute resolution
1256:Extended confirmed
1232:Edit filter helper
1160:Admin instructions
1147:global user groups
1118:Courtesy vanishing
1034:Contentious topics
1024:Personal sanctions
908:Committed identity
795:Request an account
699:CheckUser criteria
588:Inappropriate uses
514:Knowledge:Retiring
446:functionaries team
329:
182:Dispute resolution
1620:
1619:
1304:New page reviewer
1244:Event coordinator
1029:General sanctions
968:Appealing a block
865:Alternate account
848:Changing username
800:IPs are human too
790:Create an account
730:
729:
434:arbitration cases
327:
258:
257:
147:
146:
115:
114:
16:(Redirected from
1650:
1184:(Auto) confirmed
1050:Indef ≠infinite
874:Account security
819:Registered users
757:
750:
743:
734:
733:
618:Sleeper accounts
562:
555:
548:
539:
538:
442:evading scrutiny
357:
351:
346:Streisand effect
342:request a rename
282:evading scrutiny
250:
243:
236:
153:Conduct policies
149:
148:
124:
123:
117:
107:
100:
93:
54:
53:
47:
27:Knowledge policy
21:
1658:
1657:
1653:
1652:
1651:
1649:
1648:
1647:
1623:
1622:
1621:
1616:
1545:Quality control
1509:
1465:
1375:
1352:Template editor
1280:IP block exempt
1208:AutoWikiBrowser
1172:Account creator
1136:
1091:Sleeper account
1069:
1055:Long-term abuse
941:Blocking policy
927:
869:
843:Username policy
836:Reset passwords
814:
771:
761:
731:
726:
703:
670:
627:
603:Username policy
583:Legitimate uses
571:
566:
534:– Legal concept
488:
458:
422:
408:
399:
368:
355:
349:
337:
298:
254:
217:Username policy
121:
111:
110:
103:
96:
89:
85:
77:
76:
51:
43:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1656:
1646:
1645:
1640:
1635:
1618:
1617:
1615:
1614:
1609:
1604:
1599:
1594:
1589:
1584:
1579:
1574:
1573:
1572:
1567:
1562:
1560:Founder's seat
1557:
1547:
1542:
1537:
1532:
1531:
1530:
1523:Administration
1519:
1517:
1511:
1510:
1508:
1507:
1506:
1505:
1500:
1492:
1487:
1482:
1476:
1474:
1467:
1466:
1464:
1463:
1458:
1453:
1448:
1447:
1446:
1436:
1435:
1434:
1424:
1423:
1422:
1408:
1407:
1406:
1396:
1395:
1394:
1383:
1381:
1377:
1376:
1374:
1373:
1372:
1371:
1361:
1360:
1359:
1349:
1348:
1347:
1337:
1336:
1335:
1325:
1324:
1323:
1313:
1312:
1311:
1301:
1300:
1299:
1289:
1288:
1287:
1277:
1276:
1275:
1265:
1264:
1263:
1253:
1252:
1251:
1241:
1240:
1239:
1229:
1228:
1227:
1217:
1216:
1215:
1205:
1204:
1203:
1193:
1192:
1191:
1181:
1180:
1179:
1169:
1168:
1167:
1162:
1151:
1149:
1144:
1138:
1137:
1135:
1134:
1133:
1132:
1122:
1121:
1120:
1110:
1109:
1108:
1098:
1093:
1088:
1083:
1077:
1075:
1071:
1070:
1068:
1067:
1065:Global actions
1062:
1060:Standard offer
1057:
1052:
1047:
1046:
1045:
1040:
1031:
1026:
1016:
1015:
1014:
1012:ArbCom appeals
1007:Banning policy
1004:
1003:
1002:
997:
992:
982:
981:
980:
975:
965:
964:
963:
958:
953:
948:
937:
935:
934:global actions
933:
929:
928:
926:
925:
920:
915:
910:
905:
904:
903:
893:
888:
883:
877:
875:
871:
870:
868:
867:
862:
857:
856:
855:
850:
840:
839:
838:
828:
822:
820:
816:
815:
813:
812:
807:
802:
797:
792:
787:
781:
779:
773:
772:
760:
759:
752:
745:
737:
728:
727:
725:
724:
719:
713:
711:
705:
704:
702:
701:
696:
691:
686:
680:
678:
676:Investigations
672:
671:
669:
668:
663:
658:
653:
648:
643:
637:
635:
629:
628:
626:
625:
620:
615:
610:
605:
600:
595:
590:
585:
579:
577:
573:
572:
565:
564:
557:
550:
542:
536:
535:
529:
523:
517:
511:
505:
495:
487:
484:
457:
454:
421:
418:
407:
404:
398:
395:
376:checkuser team
367:
364:
336:
333:
332:
331:
308:
305:
302:
297:
294:
256:
255:
253:
252:
245:
238:
230:
227:
226:
225:
224:
219:
214:
209:
204:
199:
194:
192:Editing policy
189:
184:
179:
174:
169:
164:
156:
155:
145:
144:
125:
113:
112:
109:
108:
101:
94:
86:
81:
78:
66:
65:
57:
55:
26:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1655:
1644:
1641:
1639:
1636:
1634:
1631:
1630:
1628:
1613:
1610:
1608:
1605:
1603:
1600:
1598:
1595:
1593:
1590:
1588:
1585:
1583:
1580:
1578:
1575:
1571:
1568:
1566:
1563:
1561:
1558:
1556:
1553:
1552:
1551:
1548:
1546:
1543:
1541:
1538:
1536:
1533:
1529:
1526:
1525:
1524:
1521:
1520:
1518:
1516:
1512:
1504:
1503:ArbCom clerks
1501:
1499:
1496:
1495:
1493:
1491:
1490:Functionaries
1488:
1486:
1483:
1481:
1478:
1477:
1475:
1472:
1468:
1462:
1459:
1457:
1454:
1452:
1449:
1445:
1442:
1441:
1440:
1437:
1433:
1430:
1429:
1428:
1425:
1421:
1418:
1417:
1416:
1412:
1409:
1405:
1402:
1401:
1400:
1397:
1393:
1390:
1389:
1388:
1387:Administrator
1385:
1384:
1382:
1378:
1370:
1367:
1366:
1365:
1362:
1358:
1355:
1354:
1353:
1350:
1346:
1343:
1342:
1341:
1338:
1334:
1331:
1330:
1329:
1326:
1322:
1319:
1318:
1317:
1314:
1310:
1307:
1306:
1305:
1302:
1298:
1295:
1294:
1293:
1290:
1286:
1283:
1282:
1281:
1278:
1274:
1271:
1270:
1269:
1266:
1262:
1259:
1258:
1257:
1254:
1250:
1247:
1246:
1245:
1242:
1238:
1235:
1234:
1233:
1230:
1226:
1223:
1222:
1221:
1218:
1214:
1211:
1210:
1209:
1206:
1202:
1199:
1198:
1197:
1196:Autopatrolled
1194:
1190:
1187:
1186:
1185:
1182:
1178:
1175:
1174:
1173:
1170:
1166:
1163:
1161:
1158:
1157:
1156:
1153:
1152:
1150:
1148:
1143:
1139:
1131:
1128:
1127:
1126:
1123:
1119:
1116:
1115:
1114:
1111:
1107:
1104:
1103:
1102:
1099:
1097:
1094:
1092:
1089:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1079:
1078:
1076:
1072:
1066:
1063:
1061:
1058:
1056:
1053:
1051:
1048:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1035:
1032:
1030:
1027:
1025:
1022:
1021:
1020:
1017:
1013:
1010:
1009:
1008:
1005:
1001:
998:
996:
993:
991:
988:
987:
986:
983:
979:
976:
974:
971:
970:
969:
966:
962:
959:
957:
954:
952:
951:Admin's guide
949:
947:
944:
943:
942:
939:
938:
936:
930:
924:
921:
919:
916:
914:
911:
909:
906:
902:
899:
898:
897:
894:
892:
889:
887:
884:
882:
879:
878:
876:
872:
866:
863:
861:
858:
854:
851:
849:
846:
845:
844:
841:
837:
834:
833:
832:
829:
827:
824:
823:
821:
817:
811:
808:
806:
803:
801:
798:
796:
793:
791:
788:
786:
783:
782:
780:
778:
774:
770:
766:
758:
753:
751:
746:
744:
739:
738:
735:
723:
720:
718:
715:
714:
712:
710:
706:
700:
697:
695:
692:
690:
687:
685:
682:
681:
679:
677:
673:
667:
664:
662:
659:
657:
654:
652:
649:
647:
646:List of signs
644:
642:
639:
638:
636:
634:
630:
624:
621:
619:
616:
614:
611:
609:
606:
604:
601:
599:
596:
594:
593:Meat puppetry
591:
589:
586:
584:
581:
580:
578:
574:
570:
563:
558:
556:
551:
549:
544:
543:
540:
533:
530:
527:
524:
521:
518:
515:
512:
509:
506:
503:
499:
496:
493:
490:
489:
483:
480:
477:
474:
473:administrator
469:
467:
463:
453:
449:
447:
443:
439:
435:
431:
427:
417:
414:
403:
394:
392:
388:
384:
379:
377:
373:
363:
361:
354:
347:
343:
325:
321:
317:
313:
309:
306:
303:
300:
299:
293:
291:
287:
283:
279:
275:
270:
267:
263:
251:
246:
244:
239:
237:
232:
231:
229:
228:
223:
220:
218:
215:
213:
210:
208:
205:
203:
200:
198:
195:
193:
190:
188:
185:
183:
180:
178:
175:
173:
170:
168:
165:
163:
162:Block evasion
160:
159:
158:
157:
154:
151:
150:
142:
137:
133:
129:
126:
119:
118:
106:
105:WP:FRESHSTART
102:
99:
95:
92:
91:WP:CLEANSTART
88:
87:
84:
79:
74:
70:
64:
62:
56:
49:
48:
45:
41:
37:
33:
19:
1597:Noticeboards
1577:WikiProjects
1130:Quiet return
1124:
1081:Sockpuppetry
1000:Open proxies
990:Range blocks
709:Consequences
607:
569:Sockpuppetry
502:sockpuppetry
481:
478:
470:
461:
459:
450:
448:for advice.
423:
412:
409:
400:
390:
382:
380:
369:
338:
271:
265:
261:
259:
212:Sockpuppetry
187:Edit warring
171:
127:
58:
44:
1473:and related
1165:Admin guide
1142:User groups
1125:Clean start
901:2FA for AWB
826:New account
641:Motivations
608:Clean start
266:fresh start
262:clean start
172:Clean start
98:WP:NEWSTART
1627:Categories
1515:Governance
1498:SPI clerks
1471:Committees
1461:Researcher
1399:Bureaucrat
1316:Page mover
1268:File mover
831:Logging in
769:governance
763:Knowledge
598:Canvassing
387:permission
383:permission
197:Harassment
1602:Consensus
1592:Petitions
1582:Elections
1570:Proposals
1565:Meta-Wiki
1415:Oversight
1411:CheckUser
1101:Wikibreak
1019:Sanctions
961:Autoblock
810:IP hopper
651:Duck test
286:sanctions
222:Vandalism
177:Consensus
83:Shortcuts
73:consensus
1456:Importer
1340:Rollback
1113:Retiring
1106:Enforcer
765:accounts
684:Triggers
576:Guidance
486:See also
324:scrutiny
296:Criteria
274:improper
167:Civility
69:normally
1612:Reforms
1494:Clerks
1451:Founder
1444:Request
1432:Request
1420:Request
1285:Request
1237:Request
1225:Request
666:Lurkers
353:retired
623:Outing
326:, may
136:blocks
61:policy
1555:Board
1043:Essay
956:Tools
717:Block
633:Signs
432:, or
1413:and
1357:PERM
1345:PERM
1333:PERM
1321:PERM
1309:PERM
1297:PERM
1273:PERM
1261:PERM
1249:PERM
1213:PERM
1201:PERM
1189:PERM
1177:PERM
1145:and
1036:and
995:IPv6
767:and
391:both
312:here
290:here
1528:FAQ
1404:RfB
1392:RfA
1220:Bot
1038:Log
946:FAQ
722:Ban
328:not
264:or
134:or
1629::
428:,
356:}}
350:{{
260:A
756:e
749:t
742:v
561:e
554:t
547:v
504:.
249:e
242:t
235:v
143:.
75:.
63:.
42:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.