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AndreaR's avatar
AndreaR
Copper Contributor
Mar 18, 2025

Non-Office 365 accounts repeatedly request sign-in each time Outlook (new) is opened or restarted

My Setup :

  • Operating System: Windows 11 (fully updated, including latest Dell laptop BIOS/firmware)
  • Office Version: Microsoft 365 Apps (licensed under Office 365 Standard for one of the email accounts)
  • Outlook Version Used: Primarily the New Outlook for Windows
  • Email Accounts Involved:
    • One Office 365 Exchange account: email address removed for privacy reasons (credentials persist without issues)
    • Multiple Gmail/IMAP/SMTP accounts (e.g., email address removed for privacy reasons, email address removed for privacy reasons, email address removed for privacy reasons, email address removed for privacy reasons) (all require reauth every time Outlook is opened)

Symptoms

  • Non-Office 365 accounts repeatedly request sign-in each time Outlook is opened or restarted.
  • No error messages—just continuous web auth prompts for Gmail, SMTP, and IMAP accounts.
  • The single licensed Office 365 account retains its credentials without issues.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Tried

  1. Uninstalled/Reinstalled Office 365
    • Completely removed Microsoft 365 (via Apps & Features or Control Panel).
    • Reinstalled Office 365—accounts still persisted upon first launch of Outlook, leading to repeated sign-in prompts again.
  2. Cleared Windows Credential Manager
    • Removed all stored credentials related to Outlook, MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OAUTH2, Gmail/IMAP references, etc.
    • Verified credentials were gone before relaunching Outlook.
  3. Removed Registry Keys & Data
    • Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity, deleted leftover Identities referencing old accounts.
    • Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Settings, removed the Accounts key containing JSON references to old addresses.
    • Removed/cleaned up values in the Data subkey referencing _AccountSignaturesMigrated, _UserOptionsMigrationState, etc.
  4. Deleted Local AppData & Roaming Outlook Folders
    • %LOCALAPPDATA%\\Microsoft\\Outlook
    • %APPDATA%\\Microsoft\\Outlook
    • Checked/removed possible OST/PST data in %USERPROFILE%\\Documents\\Outlook Files
  5. Removed Email & Accounts in Windows Settings
    • Under Windows 11 SettingsAccountsEmail & accounts, confirmed the problematic addresses were removed.
  6. Checked for Security Software Conflicts
    • No third-party antivirus, firewall, or VPN is interfering.
  7. Tried “New Outlook” Command-Line Wipe
    • Attempted outlook.exe --clearLocalState (or olk.exe --clearLocalState) to remove local cache.
    • Re-launched Outlook, re-added accounts—still facing reauth loops.
  8. Ensured Windows & Dell Firmware/Bios Up to Date
    • Double-checked the system is fully updated (Windows Updates, Dell updates).

Result

  • Issue Not Resolved: Gmail/IMAP accounts continue prompting for sign-in each time Outlook starts.
  • Only the Office 365 Exchange account retains its credentials as expected.
  • After exhaustive attempts, reverted to Classic Outlook because it does not prompt for repeated sign-ins.

Please let me know if this is a known bug that Microsoft is actively addressing. Are there any other steps I can take beyond local registry/credential cleanup to permanently resolve the repeated OAuth prompts?

3 Replies

  • jtmc713's avatar
    jtmc713
    Occasional Reader

    If you're still having an issue with this, and the accounts in question are gmail, you can definitely add them in a way that gets rid of the repeated sign in requests every time new outlook is started, restarted, opened, etc.

    It looks as though 2 factor authentication creates a problem with new outlook holding authentication. Luckily, you do not have to disable 2 factor authentication for your gmail.

     

    Step 1 - In your account settings for new outlook, remove the problematic email/s from all devices.

    Step 2 - Log into your gmail account through a web browser.

    Step 3 - Navigate to "Manage Your Google Account" by clicking on your account icon in the top right corner of the page.

    Step 4 - Navigate to "Security & sign-in."

    Step 5 - In the search bar at the top of the Security & sign-in page, type in "app passwords" - and click the first result.

    Step 6 - Enter an app name. It can be any name you want. I used outlook, since it is for outlook.

    Step 7 - Click "Create."

    Step 8 - Write down the password it presents you with. You will need this to enter into new outlook. You can also highlight and copy it for pasting later.

     

    From this point, you are done with the browser/google side.

     

    Step 9 - Open new outlook - click "Add account"

    Step 10 - Enter the email address of the email you want to add - DO NOT CLICK CONTINUE

    Step 11 - After you have typed the desired email in the box, look to the information under the box that says, "No account? Create an Outlook.com email account" Click that link.


    Step 12 - A little window will pop up, showing and account creation page. Don't do anything here, just close it.

    Step 13 - This is out bread and butter here - New buttons will have appeared on the window where you typed in your email address - Select "Advanced Setup"

    Step 14 - In the "Select your email provider" list, scroll down and select IMAP.

    Step 15 - Enter the app password that you just created in you google account management into the password area.

    Final Step - Select continue and follow the on-screen directions.

    This provides new outlook with its own direct authorization to your gmail, so the 2 factor authentication doesn't drop outlooks connection.

  • CarolineMS's avatar
    CarolineMS
    Copper Contributor

    Classic outlook has started asking for log on of microsoft Live and hotmail accounts. None of the solutions listed have worked. On another PC I uninstalled all the accounts and reinstated them which fixed the issue but it isn't working on this one [Win 10]

  • LucasTurner's avatar
    LucasTurner
    Iron Contributor

    1. Quick fixes
    Delete and re-add the account
    File → Account Settings → select the problem account → click “Delete”
    Re-add the account after restarting Outlook
    2. Clear Credentials Cache
    Open Windows Credential Manager (control.exe /name Microsoft.CredentialManager)
    Delete all credentials related to Outlook.
    3. Common causes and targeted solutions
    Scenario A: Outdated authentication methods
    Ensure that the account uses modern authentication (OAuth2):
    File → Account Settings → select the account → click “Change”
    Check “Use modern authentication” (if option is available)
     Scenario B: Third-party mail service restrictions
    Check if the mail provider supports OAuth2:
    Gmail/Yahoo etc. need to enable “Allow insecure applications” on the web side
    Enterprise mailboxes need to contact IT administrator to open API privileges
    4. Registry Repair (Windows)
    Force modern authentication to be enabled:
    Press Win+R and type regedit
    Navigate to:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity  
    New DWORD value:
    Name: EnableADAL
    Value: 1
    5. Special configuration for enterprise environment
    Group Policy Adjustment:
    Administrator Run gpedit.msc
    Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Microsoft Outlook 2016 → Account Settings → Accounts
    Enable:
    “Force use of modern authentication”
    “Disable ADAL” is set to Disabled
    6. Alternatives
     Use application-specific passwords (e.g. for Google accounts):
    Generate a 16-digit dedicated password in the backend of your email provider
    Use this password instead of the master password for Outlook logins