The most convenient way to protect online accounts from being comprised is to have two-factor authentication and the best way to do this is by using Google Authenticator on smartphone but in this guide I will show you How to Setup Google Authenticator on Windows 10 to get 2FA codes on your Windows 10.
As it will add a second layer to the sign-in process, allowing you to use a single-use generated code to have a successful sign in using the tool Google authenticator.
You already have a smartphone with Google authenticator installed, but if you don’t have it, then my dear, your options are limited. However, it is quite possible to utilize Google authenticator on your Windows 10 PC without any other device requirement. Now you must be curious to know how to use Google Authenticator on your Windows 10 PC. So let’s begin the tutorial.
About Google Authenticator on Windows 10
Want to Setup Google Authenticator on Windows 10? You require nothing, and it is free to use the Google authenticator on windows 10 to sign in to your Google account.
The process of installing Google Authenticator on Windows 10 is straightforward, Google Authenticator setup page will provide you a secret code, setup 2FA Application on Windows 10, and relax, Your Google Account is more secure now with the extra security of Google Authenticator and you won’t lock out your Google account even if you don’t have a Smartphone or your Smartphone is lost.
Generate the Google Authenticator Secret Code
You must be aware that your account is at high risk if your user name and password are leaked online. No password manager will help you at this point and you will have to change the password comprised by the contravention. To overcome this issue, you will have to link online two-factor authentication service {Google authenticator}. It always generates an OTP to sign in successfully into Google and other online services.
No worry if your password is hacked and the hacker won’t have your two-factor authenticator credentials. It acts as a master password and without it, the code generated will not work for a successful 2FA sign in. this code will help you only in Google account sign in so you will need similar codes to link the rest of the online services using a 2FA app on your Windows 10 PC.
- Visit the Google account website to find the secret code for your Google account. it will open the 2-Step Verification and if doesn’t, click on security on the left side.
- You will see the sign-in to Google account section in the security area then tap on the 2-step verification option displaying on your screen. you might be required to sign in again at this point.
- If you do not have a phone number added it might ask you to add and verify your phone number and once you do it you are ready to go.
- If 2FA is not enabled with a mobile device previously, follow the instructions displaying on your screen to do so on the 2-step verification page. if it is over, move to the Authentication section then choose set up to begin.
- Scroll down and navigate to the Authenticator app section and click on SET UP.
- If a pop up occurs, select whatever you want as it doesn’t matter. just select next to continue.
- A QR code will be visible on your screen .you need to scan this QR code. If you don’t perform scanning, select can’t scan it? Option present just below the QR code.
- A combination of 32 letters and number s secret code for your Google account will appear in the below box, copy the code and Click on next, leaving this page open.
- Save the secret code and now you just need to install 2FA on your Windows 10 PC to proceed further.
Install a 2FA App on Windows 10
There is an existence of few apps for extending Google authenticator supports your windows 10. However, winAuth is an exception as it is no longer in active development, so there is doubt if it continues to work as intended as a Google authenticator.
The best alternative highly recommended is WinAuth authenticator. It is an open-source 2FA app available in the Microsoft store.
- Visit the Microsoft store and download the WinAuth authenticator and install it. After installation, open it and choose the [+] icon present at the bottom.
- Click on the Add button and select Google.
![choose the [+] icon present at the bottom](https://digitaldopes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/choose-the-icon-present-at-the-bottom.jpg)
- Enter and save your Google account details here, In the username column, type your Google account email address (if asked, if not leave it).
- Now type your 32 digits secret code from the Google 2FA Authenticator generate code that I asked you to save earlier.
- After you enter the 32 digits secret code you will find a verify code (displayed in green color), copy the code and paste in the the Set up Google Authenticator under the Enter code tab and click on VERIFY.
- Once you have done all the steps, you will see a “Done! you’re all set” message from the Google Authenticator page and that means you have successfully installed Google Authenticator on Windows 10.
- When every you need the Authenticator codes to verify, just open the application and hit the refresh button, copy the code and paste on the google page that’s it.
You can remove the app at any point by pressing the remove icon next to the authenticator app option.
Installing Google Authenticator on Windows 10 will and an extra layer of security to your Google Accounts, people usually use their Smartphones for enabling Google Authenticator security on their Google Accounts but This tutorial allows you to Setup Google Authenticator on Windows 10 Without Smartphones.
I hope you like this guide and if you find any problem while following the steps, please do comment below ad I would love to answer.
