Gmail using Windows Live Mail after May 30, 2022

Question

Can someone tell me how to set up to use Windows Live Mail for Gmail after the May 30, 2022 Gmail changes. There is something I have read about "app passwords" which sounds a lot like what Yahoo has done. I have about 75 clients who use WLM. Most of them have Gmail accounts.

I would rather not have to switch to a different mail client.

I would appreciate very much if someone could provide a step by step how to. I suspect there are several millions others like us.

Answer 1

Here's the procedure outlined by Kevin, as an edited quote, derived from several of his messages:

"Came across a work around which I hope will keep working come June 1st.

You need to go into your Google account and it is under Security. Turn on "2 Step Authentication" for each Gmail account and then add an App Password for WLM. You just need to generate the App Password from Google Security and then use that when you update your email ie send/ receive in your WLM. When you update your email ie send/ receive in WLM it will prompt you for this password instead of your Gmail password. The option to turn on/off Less Secure Apps in my security settings disappeared once I turned on 2 Step Authentication."

And here's the link to the YouTube video which provides the same procedure, one that has worked for a lot of us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-SqaEmSjAc

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As a matter of fact, one additional YouTube video has also sprung up which provides the same solution. That one is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKLZBNlhrQs

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The previous version of this message also linked to a third video which I thought MIGHT also have a good solution but IT DID NOT. Which is why I've removed that third link. Specifically, you can NO LONGER ACCESS GMAIL if you are using the Less Secure Apps option in the Gmail security settings. Sorry about that.

Answer 2

That reply was not helpful. I continued to search and search and believe I MAY have found the solution. I am looking here for confirmation. Thunderfird latest edition has the OAuth 2.0 feature.

That seems to fulfil the requirement, not sure. However will POP work or must IMAP be used?

Answer 3

I am the originator: I believe I have the solution. It is actually quite simple.

First you need to log into gmail,

1. go the Manage account info,
2. select Security,
3. down to signing in with Google,
4. Choose 2 step verification
5. You will need a phone
6. Choose the phone option and enter a phone number
7. You will have the option of a text or phone call -- both work
8. Enter the code you get
9. Turn ON 2 step verification
10. Back to Security
11. Select app password
12. You need to choose the program and device: Mail, Windows computer
13. Click Generate
14. Write that code down some where safe
15. Go back to WLM
16. When it asks you for the password, enter the new app password

That's it. It works. I've done at least 7 computers so far.

I do not know yet what that means for apple or other devices

I do not know if you will still need your Gmail password for other devices

Answer 4

Thank you for replying Lem. Gmail is undergoing a change May 30, 2022. Google has announced and its description is not helpful

https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/t8fvs5/gmail_ending_less_secure_device_support_may_30th/

1. It's not clear whether just using OAuth 2.0 is sufficient
2. Whether POP will work with OAuth 2.0
3. Whether we will be forced to switch POP to IMAP

I have a bunch of clients facing this and would like to lay out a workable solution.

Answer 5

Hello! Did you resolve this issue? I have a dozen Gmail addresses and had to get an "app password" for each to work in my WLM after 5/30. It was a lot of work (with 12 accounts) but not hard. If you still need this, I will try to recount the steps I took.

Victoria