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Thunderbird connection issue to Outlook server with 2 part Athentication?

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by sfhowes

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University of New Mexico has implemented 2 part Authentication to MS Outlook Email servers. I was using Thunderbird to connect to those servers yesterday. But today the connection is refused by the Outlook servers. Also today, I am required to use 2 part Auhnentication from my PC. I have set up Win/Auth on my PC and it works for the online Outlook services from UNM. But I can't seem to find a way to get Thunderbird to connect to the outlook servers still? MS says a special password may be used with an app for the 2 part authentication, but I can't find where to put that password for Thunderbird? Currently I am not even asked for my password in Thunderbird before the connection is refused. Hoping someone has solved this puzzle? Thanks for any help.

University of New Mexico has implemented 2 part Authentication to MS Outlook Email servers. I was using Thunderbird to connect to those servers yesterday. But today the connection is refused by the Outlook servers. Also today, I am required to use 2 part Auhnentication from my PC. I have set up Win/Auth on my PC and it works for the online Outlook services from UNM. But I can't seem to find a way to get Thunderbird to connect to the outlook servers still? MS says a special password may be used with an app for the 2 part authentication, but I can't find where to put that password for Thunderbird? Currently I am not even asked for my password in Thunderbird before the connection is refused. Hoping someone has solved this puzzle? Thanks for any help.

All Replies (3)

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Remove the passwords from Saved Passwords in Options/Privacy & Security, restart TB, enter an app password when prompted.

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Sounds reasonable. But I didn't have a stored password. Took the steps and nothing changed ? Still was not asked for password when opening TB, Just got the "outlook server connection refused" message at top right in TB. Thanks for the suggestion though.

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It appears you don't have a personal outlook.com-type account, but an Office 365 account. Try setting the authentication method on the incoming and outgoing servers to OAuth2, then restart TB. With luck, you might be prompted to enter the regular account password in the OAuth window, and then connect to the account. If that doesn't work, I don't know the next step, as O365 accounts often require configuration in O365 settings before they work in TB. It's not always straightforward, and you might need an add-on such as Owl.

See also https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1339898

Modified by sfhowes