Windows 8 Mail app doesn’t work with Gmail when 2-step verification is enabled

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I'm unable to link my Gmail account to Windows 8 Mail app when I have 2-step verification enabled on my Google account. The error message that's given is: "That email address or password didn't work." Disabling 2-step verification on my Google account fixes the problem. I guess this is really more of a bug report than a question, but I would love to hear if anybody else has a workaround that doesn't require me disabling the security on my Gmail account.

Best Answer

There is actually a simple way to get your GMail acount to work with Windows 8 Mail App even with 2-step verification enabled. You'll just have to use Application Specific password.

  1. Go to your Google Account settings. You must be logged in: https://www.google.com/settings/account
  2. Click on Security from the Accounts tab.
  3. In the Authorizing applications and site section click on Edit button
  4. Scroll down. At the bottom you'll see the section Application-specific passwords. Type a Name click on Generate Passwords.
  5. You'll be given a password. Use that password with Windows 8 Mail App.
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