How to sync Google services with Windows

As of January 30, 2013, Google no longer supports new EAS (Exchange ActiveSync) connections in some cases. EAS is a technology that helps you sync your email, calendar, and contacts across multiple devices (like your desktop, laptop, and tablet). This means that from January 30, 2013, the Google services you can sync with your PC running Windows 8 or Windows RT, and how you sync them, will change.

The steps you need to take to sync your services depends on whether or not you have the most recent version of the Mail, Calendar, and People apps in Windows 8 or Windows RT. You'll have the most recent version of these apps if you went to the Windows Store and installed updates at the end of March.

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What to do if you have the most recent version of the Mail, Calendar, and People apps

To sync your email and contacts, you’ll need to remove your existing Google accounts and reconnect them. It’s important to note that if you have more than one Google account, you can only get your contacts for one account. You'll no longer be able to sync your Google calendar with the Calendar app but you can see your events by moving them to Outlook.com.

To sync your email

If you have any email drafts, before you reconnect your mail, you might want to copy and paste these into a separate file (like a Word or Notepad document) and save it.
In the Mail app, look for any Gmail account that has a Needs attention notification, tap or click it, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

To sync your contacts

There are two ways to sync your contacts—from the Mail app or from the People app.

From the Mail app. If you’re reconnecting your email in the Mail app using the method described earlier, you might also see a message indicating that you can add your Google contacts. If you do, enter the email address and password for the Google account you want to sync contacts from (remember, you can only sync contacts for one account) and follow on-screen instructions.
From the People app. You can also reconnect your Google account from the People app, but first you need to remove all accounts that have a Needs attention notification. Here’s how:
1. In the People app, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
2. Tap or click Accounts, look for the Gmail account that has a Needs attention notification, and then tap or click it.
3. Tap or click Remove account.
Now you’re ready to reconnect your Google account to sync your contacts. First, check to see if there are any other Google accounts listed in the People app. If you see one, and it’s the one you want to sync your contacts from, you’re done. If it’s not the one you want, here’s how to remove it and add a different Google account:
1. Tap or click the Gmail account and then tap or click Manage this account online.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account , and then tap or click Remove this connection completely.
3. Now, you can connect the Google account you want to the People app .

To sync your calendar

Though you can't sync your Google calendar with the Calendar app, you can see your Google calendar events by moving them to Outlook.com.

What to do if you don’t have the most recent version of the Mail, Calendar, and People apps

The steps you need to take depend on when you connected your Google accounts.

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I connected my Google account before January 30, 2013

If you've already connected your Google account to your PC using the Mail, People, or Calendar apps, your email, calendar, and contacts will continue to sync properly. You don't need to do anything.

I want to connect my Google account after January 30, 2013

Here's what you need to know:

Unfortunately, with Google changing the way it supports EAS, your Google calendar can’t sync with the Calendar app. However, there is a workaround—you can see your Google calendar events by moving them to Outlook.com.
To use your Google contacts with the Mail, People, Calendar, and Messaging apps, you'll need to add them from the Microsoft account website. For more info, see How to add an account to your Microsoft account.
To see your email from Gmail in the Mail app, add your Google account to the Mail app . Don’t select Include your Google contacts and calendars . You won’t be able to sync your mail if you do.

I’m not able to connect my Google account after January 30, 2013

If you’re trying to connect your Google account to your second or third PC (that is, you’ve already done this before on another PC) and you’re asked to repeatedly enter your email address and password, here’s what you can do:

Open the Mail app.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
Tap or click Accounts, tap or click Gmail , tap or click Remove account, and then This PC.
Add your Google account to the Mail app . Don’t select Include your Google contacts and calendars . You won’t be able to sync your mail if you do.

I’m trying to connect my Google account after January 30, 2013 and I use a Gmail address to sign in to my PC

Here's what you need to know:

Unfortunately, with Google changing the way it supports EAS, your Google calendar can’t sync with the Calendar app. However, there is a workaround—you can see your Google calendar events by moving them to Outlook.com.
To use your Google contacts with the Mail, People, Calendar, and Messaging apps, you'll need to add them from the Microsoft account website. For more info, see How to add an account to your Microsoft account.
To see your email from Gmail, open the Mail app and enter your Gmail address and password. Don’t select Include your Google contacts and calendars . If you do, you won’t be able to sync your email.