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I am unable to add my gmail account to Outlook classic

Sonya Bart 25 Reputation points
2026-03-11T16:24:05.3766667+00:00

I am unable to add my gmail account to Outlook classic. I have tried every suggested remedy. I am using MS 365 Outlook Classic. It seems to work if I choose the new Outlook but i prefer Classic

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-11T16:24:24.61+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Classic Outlook currently has known issues adding or syncing Gmail accounts, but there are supported fixes and a manual workaround.

    1. Confirm Outlook build has the Gmail fix
      • In Classic Outlook, select File > Office Account > About Outlook.
      • Ensure Current Channel Version is 2412 Build 18324.20168 or later. The Gmail add/sync issue is fixed starting with this build.
      • If on an older build, update Office, then try adding the Gmail account again.
    2. Use the Gmail “Retry” sign-in flow in Classic Outlook
      • Add the Gmail account in Classic Outlook as usual.
      • When the browser sign-in window appears, sign in to Gmail.
      • On the Google consent screen, make sure the checkbox is selected for:

        Microsoft apps & services can access: “Read, compose, send, and permanently delete all your email from Gmail.”

      • If the account is already added but failing with POP/IMAP or sync errors, use the Retry link on the error dialog in Outlook to reopen the browser sign-in and re‑grant this permission.
    3. If Retry does not work, use the manual workaround Step 1 – Remove Microsoft apps & services access in Google
      1. Close Classic Outlook.
      2. Sign in to the Gmail/Google account at google.com.
      3. Select the profile picture > Manage your Google Account.
      4. Go to Security.
      5. Under Your connections to third-party apps & services, select Microsoft apps & services.
      6. Select See details for Microsoft apps & services has some access to your Google Account.
      7. Under Access you've given to Microsoft apps & services, choose Remove all access, then Confirm.
      Step 2 – Clear the stored Google IMAP OAuth credentials in Windows
      1. Open Credential Manager from the Start menu (or via Control Panel on Windows 10).
      2. Select Windows Credentials.
      3. Under Generic Credentials, find entries starting with MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2.
      4. Expand each and hover over the name until the full value shows tp_google_imap_Oauth2 – these are the Gmail credentials.
      5. Remove each credential that includes MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2 (there are typically two per Gmail account).
      6. Optionally, to target only one Gmail account, map credentials to identities under:
        • Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity\Identities
    4. Re-add or re‑sign‑in to Gmail in Classic Outlook
      • Start Classic Outlook.
      • If the Gmail account is still in the profile and showing a “Sign in via browser” bar, select it and complete sign‑in.
      • If the account was removed, go to File > Add Account, add the Gmail address, and complete the browser sign‑in.
      • On the Google consent screen, ensure the Microsoft apps & services Gmail access checkbox is selected so Outlook can read/send/sync mail.
    5. If still failing with “app may not be secure” or IMAP errors
      • Ensure IMAP is enabled for the Gmail account (Google is gradually removing this setting, but it still exists for some accounts). See Google’s guidance in Add Gmail to another email client.
      • Make sure Outlook is on a channel/build that includes the Gmail sign‑in fix (for example, Current Channel Version 2404 Build 17531.10000 or later for the earlier “app may not be secure” issue).

    Following these steps allows continued use of Gmail in Classic Outlook without switching to New Outlook.

    References:

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  1. John Doe 0 Reputation points
    2026-03-12T20:51:31.05+00:00

    For anyone else who comes across this issue:

    Context: I was having sync issues with my Gmail account in Outlook Classic (Windows 10). I removed the account and tried to add it back, but Outlook kept throwing the error:

    “We weren’t able to set up your Google account with IMAP.”

    Here’s the workaround that fixed it for me.

    What I did

    In Outlook, try to add a new account.

    When prompted for the email address, enter an email that does NOT exist on your system.

    Outlook will immediately open your default web browser and prompt for Google sign-in.

    Sign in with your actual Gmail account and grant the normal Outlook permissions.

    The authentication completes, and you return to Outlook.

    Outlook will fail the account creation (this is expected).

    What this does

    Even though the fake account fails to add, the OAuth authentication with Google completes. After that happens, Outlook is able to properly add the Gmail account again.

    Final step

    Now go back and add your Gmail account normally. The IMAP setup error should be gone.

    Hopefully this helps someone else.

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  2. Sonya Bart 25 Reputation points
    2026-03-11T16:58:30.9666667+00:00

    This seems to have worked but how do I reenable the Microsoft access? Thanks

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