Trying to set up an email program to access an Outlook.com or Office 365 email account? Afraid you might have to switch to a client that allows for OAuth2 authentication or web-based email even? Find out here how to create an app password for Outlook.com email instead and use POP and IMAP access with it as a regular, vintage email password.
First, Measuring Clouds, Rain, Hail and Fog
How do you measure clouds, rain, hail, fog and plumes of volcanic ash? In centimeters, of course (usually not in inches, though).
For the longer the METAR weather report for an airport appears on paper or screen, the less suitable conditions typically are for flying. Without precipitation, limited sight or clouds to report, all these data points are condensed into one abbreviation: CAVOK—“ceiling and visibility okay.”
With that passcode in mind, let’s also establish one for suitable flight conditions heading to an Outlook.com account using POP or IMAP:
How to Create an App Password for Outlook.com (POP and IMAP)
Time needed: 5 minutes
To create a new app password that will let you access an Outlook.com email account using POP and IMAP in email programs that do not support OAuth2 authentication:
- Select your Microsoft account icon in Outlook.com.
Here’s where: The link is near the top right corner of Outlook.com, with Account manager for… shown as the tooltip.
- Choose My Microsoft account in the menu that has appeared.
- Go to the Security section.
- Click Manage how I sign in under Account.
- Now follow the link to Create a new app password under App passwords.
Outlook.com shortcut: You can open creating an app password directly.
- Sign in to your Outlook.com account if you are prompted.
- Enter the new app password shown in the email program as the password for POP, IMAP and SMTP.
User name: The user name is your full Outlook.com email address.
- Click Done.
Make sure you can use the password: How to Enable POP and IMAP Access for Outlook.com
Disable Existing Outlook.com App Passwords
To delete your existing app passwords for accessing Outlook.com:
- Go to your Microsoft account security settings; see above.
- Click Remove existing app passwords.
- Now click Remove for Remove existing app passwords?.
What now: Set up a new app password for each application you wish to continue using with Outlook.com.
How to Create an App Password for Outlook.com (POP and IMAP): FAQ
Can I disable just one app password?
No.
To secure your account when you suspect an app password may have been compromised, delete all existing passwords and create ones for the apps you will continue to use.
(How to create an app password for Outlook.com for POP and IMAP access first published September 2024)