How to Create App Passwords for Outlook.com

Bypass two-step authentication to sign in more easily

What to Know

  • Profile image > My Microsoft account > Update > Get started.
  • Turn on (for 2FA) and follow those steps.
  • Repeat the first directions, and then Create a new app password.

This article explains how to use app passwords to sign in to Outlook.com. App passwords add extra security when you access Outlook external via IMAP or POP.

Set Up App Passwords for Outlook.com

Here's how to create app passwords for Outlook.com access even when you have two-step verification enabled.

  1. Select your name or avatar in Outlook.com's top navigation bar, and then select My Microsoft Account.

    Screenshot of My Account menu in Outlook.com
  2. Scroll down and select Update under the Security section.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com Update Security settings
  3. Select Get Started in the Advanced security options section.

    You might need to provide your email password before viewing these settings.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com More Security Options
  4. If two-step verification is already enabled, you can just skip down this page and choose Create a new app password.

    If it isn't enabled yet, choose Turn on next to Two-step verification, and follow those steps to enable it. After a few screens, you'll return to the one where you first enabled 2FA, and there you can choose Create a new app password.

    Screenshot of setting up two-step verification in Outlook.com
  5. Launch the Set up two-step verification wizard by selecting Next.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com setup two-step verification
  6. The next screen prompts you to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app, which lets you tap in an approval notification to give an app access to your Outlook account (no password or code required). For our purposes, select Cancel to move on to setting up two-step verification.

    Screenshot of Microsoft Authenticator option
  7. Follow the instructions to enable two-step verification.

  8. On the third step of the wizard, you'll see an option to set up your smartphone with an app password. Select your device type.

    Screenshot of setting up smartphone with app password
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup on your smartphone or tablet. Once you have an app password set up, you can use it in your app, or change it whenever you want.

    Screenshot of App password for Outlook.com access

    Create a new POP password for each application, and if anything malicious happens, all passwords are automatically disabled.

Why Use Outlook App Passwords?

To keep your Outlook.com account secure, two-step authentication, which requires both a password and a code generated on your phone, is an invaluable tool. However, email programs that log in to Outlook.com via POP don't support security codes for two-step verification.

Creating app passwords for Outlook.com IMAP and POP access ensures that even though you're accessing Outlook.com externally, your account remains secure.

How to Change Your App Password

To easily change your app password:

  1. Select your name in Outlook.com's top navigation bar, and then select My Microsoft Account.

    Screenshot of My Account menu in Outlook.com
  2. Scroll down and select Update under the Security section.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com Update Security settings
  3. Under Advanced security options, select Get started.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com More Security Options
  4. On the Additional security options screen, you'll now see an App passwords section.

    Screenshot of App Passwords section in Outlook.com security options
  5. Select Create a new app password. Outlook will generate a new app password that you can use with your synced apps to reconnect with your Outlook.com account.

Disable App-Specific Passwords in Outlook.com

At any time, you can delete application-specific passwords associated with your Outlook.com account.

  1. In Outlook.com, go to profile image > My Microsoft account > Security > Get started > Remove existing app passwords > Remove.

  2. Under App passwords, select Remove existing app passwords.

    Screenshot of Remove Existing App Passwords box in Outlook.com
  3. Select Remove. All passwords you have set up for your Outlook.com account will be disabled.

Was this page helpful?