If you are looking for an alternative to Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator for Windows 10, check out this tool called WinAuth. It is free and open-source software that allows users to set up two-step verification on some popular online accounts from Windows PC. Let’s check out the features and learn the process to set things up.
In these present days, it is essential to use a very strong password for any online account – be it Facebook or internet banking. Apart from that, two-step verification plays a vital role to make your account more secure by adding a layer of security. For that, two of the most common names appear all the time – Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator. However, the problem starts when you try to do the same on a Windows computer since those apps are not compatible with your computer.
Is there a Google Authenticator for Windows?
You can install a 2FA app on your Windows PC. Once you do this, you will be able to use Google Authenticator on Windows to sign in to your Google account without the need for a phone.
WinAuth Authenticator for Windows 11/10
The number of features of WinAuth is minimal, but all the available features are essential for any user.
- It helps you set up two-factor authenticator for Google account, Microsoft account, Steam account, etc.
- For security, it offers a master password that is required to obtain codes and change settings.
- Export the authenticator so that you can import the file to another app.
As of now, WinAuth doesn’t allow users to produce two-step verification codes for all the accounts. You can do so with these accounts only-
- Microsoft
- Net
- Guild Wars 2
- Glyph/Trion
- Steam
If you are okay with these accounts, you can go ahead to set it up.
Download and setup WinAuth on Windows 10
To setup WinAuth on Windows 10, follow these steps-
- Download WinAuth from the official website.
- Extract the .zip file.
- Double-click on WinAuth.exe to open the interface.
- Click the Add button.
- Select an account.
- Enter the secret code from that account.
- Click the Verify Authenticator button.
- Copy the code from WinAuth and paste it on your account.
- Click the OK button.
Let’s check out these steps in detail.
Please note that we have mentioned the process for Google account only. If you want to set it up for another available account, you need to follow the same steps.
To get started, you need to download the WinAuth from GitHub and extract the .zip file. You can place the file somewhere safe so that it doesn’t get deleted by mistake. After that, double-click on the WinAuth.exe file and click the Run button if it shows a warning popup. Now, click the Add button, and choose an account.
In the meantime, open Google Account settings page in your browser, and enter the login credentials to sign in to your account. If you are setting it up for another account, you should open the page from where it is possible to turn ON the two-step verification.
After that, switch to the Security tab, and click the 2-Step Verification option. Now, enter your account password again to verify.
Once you do that, click the SET UP button under Authenticator app option. Following that, it asks you to select a mobile type – Android or iPhone. Select Android and click the NEXT button.
Then, it shows a QR code that users need to scan, by default. As you are setting it up on a Windows computer, you do not need to scan the QR code. Instead, click the CAN’T SCAN IT button, copy the key, and paste it in the WinAuth window.
Next, click the Verify Authenticator button. Then, enter the verification code on your Google account and click the NEXT button.
From now onward, you can copy the code from WinAuth and paste it in your Google account for the two-step verification process.
After going through the setup process, it asks you to create a master password. Enter your desired password twice, and make a tick in the Encrypt to only be useable on this computer checkbox as well.
If you like, you can download WinAuth from the official download page.
Can I install Google Authenticator on my PC?
There is no official Google Authenticator app available for the Windows desktop yet. But you can use Google Authenticator on your Windows PC using other ways.
