Alternative to Outlook?

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MikeAqua

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#324843 2-Jun-2026 10:05

I'm over Outlook. Every few weeks, I have to relog into my gmail addresses. It's a PITA that usually happens at the worst possible time, and the process is flaky.

Is anyone aware of a desktop email app that doesn't do this?

I'm aware that I could simply access my gmail via the browser but that doesn't meet my needs.

Mike

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#3499373 2-Jun-2026 10:08

And have you confirmed its Outlook that is the issue and not Gmail's security policies causing the problem ?

You could change client and find the same thing.......

XPD / Gavin

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#3499444 2-Jun-2026 10:41

Could always try Thunderbird. It even supports Exchange Online now.

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MikeAqua

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#3499521 2-Jun-2026 15:12

xpd:

And have you confirmed its Outlook that is the issue and not Gmail's security policies causing the problem ?

You could change client and find the same thing.......

Good point and no I'm not sure. How would I test that?

Mike

MikeAqua

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#3499522 2-Jun-2026 15:12

freitasm:

Could always try Thunderbird. It even supports Exchange Online now.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Mike

nedkelly

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#3499525 2-Jun-2026 15:16

Can confirm Gmail works great with Thunderbird, I have it on a machine at home.

dafman

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#3499535 2-Jun-2026 15:45

nedkelly:

Can confirm Gmail works great with Thunderbird, I have it on a machine at home.

What is the benefit of using Thunderbird for Gmail over the standard Gmail app - I assume not privacy as Google is merely forwarding the mail?

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#3499537 2-Jun-2026 15:50

What Gmail app? Not on Windows.

Also, Thunderbird access the emails from the server. There's no forwarding.

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ech3lon

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#3499539 2-Jun-2026 15:51

freitasm:

Could always try Thunderbird. It even supports Exchange Online now.

Also if you like the Bin button next to the card (like in Outlook), there is an addon "Quick Card Delete Button" that do just that.

And also, get Dark Reader addon if bright lights hurts your eye at night.

dafman

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#3499541 2-Jun-2026 15:53

freitasm:

What Gmail app? Not on Windows.

Also, Thunderbird access the emails from the server. There's no forwarding.

Oops, I meant the browser based Gmail mail interface.

Qu: Thunderbird accesses the emails from the Gmail server but they remain on Gmail, so that if Thunderbird was to be no more, I would still be able to access historical gmail via Google

nztim

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#3499600 2-Jun-2026 19:39

freitasm:

Could always try Thunderbird. It even supports Exchange Online now.

Even with modern auth?

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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#3499609 2-Jun-2026 20:19

Yes.

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#3499676 2-Jun-2026 23:01

If you want to test something different, you could try Spark Mail App (no connection with Spark the telecom). My SO uses it and she thinks its a good email client.

Personally I am using Arc (the browser) to use Gmail via web, I have multiple accounts and I like how Arc handles their tabs. Its basically my "email app".

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MikeAqua

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#3499750 3-Jun-2026 09:01

dafman:

Oops, I meant the browser based Gmail mail interface.

For me the problems with the Gmail browser interface are.

I can't use it offline, I often write emails on flights, then send them all when I land.

It doesn't interact well with Windows, OneDrive or Office (especially Teams).

Using multiple accounts within the same browser can be PITA

Mike

MikeAqua

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#3499751 3-Jun-2026 09:02

nedkelly:

Can confirm Gmail works great with Thunderbird, I have it on a machine at home.

Do you have to re-authorise gmail accounts every few week/months or is it one and done?

Mike

askelon

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#3499760 3-Jun-2026 09:24

I use thunderbird for multiple gmail/google workspace accounts. Works perfectly. And yes I also have gmail installed as a web app - I find using that is better for lots of searching but thunderbird is a nicer interface for every day use. Outlook Classic was ok with the Google Workspace sync tool, new Outlook just breaks so often.

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