Google Authenticator for Windows? Officially, it is not there. Nevertheless, forgoing the phone tether! An unofficial workaround exists, leaving you free from juggling the devices all the while during logging in.
Exporting Google’s 2FA Code to Your PC
Make that Google Authenticator magic happen on your Windows PC! First, obtain your secret code-tool that plants the seed for the ever-changing security keys, keeping your account locked down tight.
Standing in security for your Google fortress? Jump straight to Google Account Security. Then scroll down to land on the “How you sign in to Google” section, the doorway to enhanced security. From there, click on “2-Step Verification” to enable your digital shield.
Google is going to make that phone in your pocket very busy. Press theGet Startedtab and never miss any important things.
Almost there! Super digital magic. Time to conjure one’s Authenticator app really fast. Well, actually, there is no downloading yet, just a bit of play acting so as to obtain that very secret key. So go ahead and tap “Set up.”
Authenticator acting up on you? QR code not willing to conform? No biggie! Tap “+ Set up authenticator” and join the on-screen jig till you are caught at the QR code wall. You will notice a tiny “Can’t scan it?” link underneath. Click that! The manual way out will be waiting on you.
Unbury your secret key your digital skeleton key, and guard it closely, as the key is used to approve requests by third-party apps. Never reveal it to anyone. This key is your ultimate gateway to your Google kingdom, and with abuse, the whole online world can be turned against you.
Got the code? That’s great! Let’s tap into its power. Your Google security page is your compass on this journey. Then comes your toolkit-a TOTP app to serve as your time-based one-time password generator. Let’s secure things a little more, shall we?
1. WinAuth
Shadowy apps getting away with your precious codes? The fortress of WinAuth awaits to be unleashed for you! Free, open-source, this authentication system remains right on your personal computer. Storage on cloud platforms becomes vulnerable while with WinAuth your precious code lies in trusted hands; yours – away from the prying eyes of hackers.
Once WinAuth is running on your PC, add a new Google account.
Enter your secret code from the Authenticator app, then click theVerify Authenticatorbutton.
Below the “Verify Authenticator” button, a unique random code will be generated. Memorize it: it’s your one-time key. You can now retrace your steps back to the Google security page, where the window for the code awaits you. Ready? Click “Next.”
Enter the six-digit code generated by WinAuth, and pressVerify.
Success! The confirmation flashes across the screen your app is ready to roll. Click theOKbutton to lock in the changes and unleash its powers within your Google account.
Back in the WinAuth window, clickOKto save the changes in the WinAuth application.
Clicking “OK” will grant you access to the vault, i.e., the “Protection” window. Now the unbreakable key – a password – will be forged to lock WinAuth’s secrets. The key mainly acts as a barrier to data theft. Enter the password once, enter it again to confirm, and press “OK” to lock the vault.
WinAuth can encrypt files, which limits usage to your present system, thus offering greater security. However, a strong password remains your best and most practical option.
Google Authenticator can now be used on your Windows PC using WinAuth.
2. WinOTP Authenticator
Ditch Authy’s desktop desertion! WinOTP Authenticator, a sleek Windows-exclusive app available directly from the Microsoft Store, offers a refreshing alternative.
Click the+button at the bottom to add a new service.
The app can supposedly be used for QR codes, but the fact is that my experience with it is just so very peculiar. The problems with it arose more than the upsides. YMMV: it may be just a matter of chance if it works for you after several attempts, whereas it just refused to work for me.
Excited to open the magic chest? Whisper the name the service has been given, the secret username, and the magical secret word. You may, of course, name each service as you wish, but remember this name, as it will disappear into the digital ether.
3. 2 Factor Authenticator
Beyond Google, Microsoft, LastPass, and Facebook: 2FA that secures your digital life, seamlessly mirroring Google Authenticator functionality on your PC.
Ready to link another digital world into your life? Tapping the shimmering+icon, tucked away at the very bottom, unevenly opens a portal that hungers for a name, perhaps “Google,” to open the path to infinite possibilities. Now, murmur your secret key into the ears of the void.
From that little camera charm, a simple but effective QR code scanning charm is squeezed. The interface is clear and much cleaner than the WinOTP Authenticator, however, the occasional hiccups remain.
4. GAuth Authenticator
If you want to use Google Authenticator in your browser on a Windows PC, try GAuth Authenticator.
To add your authenticator to GAuth, click on the pencil in the top right. ClickAdd.
Enter the account name (in this case, “Google”) and the secret key.
5. KeePassXC
Ditch your phone! KeePassXC helps in generating Google Authenticator codes straight from your desktop. It principally does function as a password vault, but tops it with TOTP features. Pro-tip: Separate your digital domains. One KeePassXC database for your passwords and another one for your 2FA secrets. Picture it as a digital safe within another safe. Why? Because if a villain manages to crack through your safe, they will have access toeitheryour passwordsoryour 2FA codes, never both. Security first, always!
Are you ready to give birth to your maiden code? Secure a vault for it! Click on “Create database” to generate a new database. Once done, give a proper name to your digital fortress, adjust the settings as you wish, and most importantly, choose an excellent password to guard your precious code. The creation process begins!
Another secret to protect, maybe? That+icon is an invitation to add a new entry. Jump right in and fill out the fields with the handtohand intel. Want to keep passwords and everticking TOTP separate? No worries! Justtype in a Title and URL. Then, when everything feels right to you, click theOKso that it locks up nice and tight to the utmost.
Right-click your new entry and selectTOTP ->Setup TOTP.
Tips for Using Google Authenticator on a Windows PC
For the best experience, there are a few tips you should know:
“* Mirror your whole digital life: Set up your accounts on both devices simultaneously. Should you miss this one, you will have to fight 2FA on the way, on the way to disabling it and then finally re-adding everything so it actually syncs with both devices. Think of it as a digital handshake between your gadgets.” “
“Locked out of your accounts while you can’t synchronize the authenticator right away? No sweat! Snap a screenshot of that all-important key or QR code during the setup. Think of it as your digital lifeline. Now when you get back to your PC, just enter that info into your desktop or browser authenticator. Problem solved!”
Think of code screenshots as insurance for digital lives. Maybe they are on an external hard disk or a USB drive, but never on the phone as you could lose it, and so would your files. These backups save the day in case you lose all your data when moving from one machine to another. Password managers such as Google Password Manager work well, but separate code backups add another layer of security.
Thanks for reading How to Use Google Authenticator on a Windows PC
