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Microsoft account with two-step verification doesn't stay signed in to Thunderbird

  • 1 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 17 views
  • Last reply by Tonnes

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I used to be able to send and receive mail from my @live.com Microsoft email account via Thunderbird. But, ever since I turned on two-step verification, I am constantly asked for a password.

I know all about app passwords to use for applications that do not support two-step verification. I use an app password on Thunderbird, and it's fine. I can send and receive mail. But Thunderbird asks again for a password almost every time I open it. I cannot use the same app password as I had initially; it will not accept it. I have to constantly generate new app passwords, which hardly seems like a secure way to operate.

My Gmail account also has two-step verification, but has no issue with Thunderbird. I noticed that my gmail account's setting has "OAuth2" selected as the authentication mode. The microsoft account has "Normal Password". Changing it solves nothing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I used to be able to send and receive mail from my @live.com Microsoft email account via Thunderbird. But, ever since I turned on two-step verification, I am constantly asked for a password. I know all about app passwords to use for applications that do not support two-step verification. I use an app password on Thunderbird, and it's fine. I can send and receive mail. But Thunderbird asks again for a password almost every time I open it. I cannot use the same app password as I had initially; it will not accept it. I have to constantly generate new app passwords, which hardly seems like a secure way to operate. My Gmail account also has two-step verification, but has no issue with Thunderbird. I noticed that my gmail account's setting has "OAuth2" selected as the authentication mode. The microsoft account has "Normal Password". Changing it solves nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Did you create an app password for Thunderbird using the Microsoft account page first? Also see this article.