G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook – Complete Tutorial
G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook is an official Google tool that allows users to directly sync their Google data with Microsoft Outlook. This blog explains how to use the app, the requirements to use it, limitations, and addresses users’ most asked questions.
What is G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook?
Also known as GSSMO, it is a free desktop utility developed by Google. It is a native Google Workspace Outlook integration tool used to synchronize data with MS Outlook. Using this tool, you can access your Google Workspace emails, contacts, and calendars in the Outlook application. It is used by anyone who already has a Google Workspace and uses Outlook.
When to Use G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook?
Wondering why there is a need to sync your Google Workspace with Outlook. Here are the points.
- Users switched to Google Workspace, but they still prefer Outlook for their daily workflow.
- The standard IMAP method only syncs emails. However, GSSMO syncs emails, contacts, and calendars.
- You want to access Google’s Global Address List, and your colleague’s are Free/Busy in Outlook.
System Requirements for G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook
The software is only available for Windows OS and is not supported on all versions. Below are the Windows versions it supports.
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 8/8.1
Note: Some outdated versions may conflict with new Windows 11 updates. So, always use the latest release of the Google Workspace sync tool for Outlook.
Microsoft Outlook Desktop Versions:
- Microsoft 365 (desktop app only)
- Outlook 2021
- Outlook 2019
- Outlook 2016
- Outlook 2013
- Outlook 2010
The older Outlook versions, like 2010 or 2013, may not be completely supported in the latest version of the tool.
Google Workspace Plan:
- Google Workspace for Business (Starter, Standard, Plus)
- Google Workspace for Enterprise (Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus)
- Google Workspace for Education (Education Fundamentals, Education Plus)
Ensure that you have the required versions of Windows, Microsoft Outlook, and Google Workspace to start using the tool. You also need admin settings to start using the tool.
Admin Settings Requirements for GSSMO
Administrative settings are required to use this tool. To enable the settings, follow the steps below.
- Sign in to Google Admin Console with an administrator account.
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal lines), then Apps.
- Select Google Workspace and then the Gmail option.
- Choose End user access. Click G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook.
- Enable the sync tool for your users, then press the Save button.
After setting up the admin settings, you can now easily download G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook and install it. Follow the steps below carefully.
How to Install G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook?
Before starting the process, sign in to your Google account and close Outlook. Also, temporarily turn off anti-virus software, firewalls, and third-party apps, and ensure you have the required systems. To download and install GSSMO, you have three options.
Option 1: Steps of GSSMO Download
- From the official Google download page, download the G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook EXE file.
- Open the installer on the computer where Outlook is installed and follow the instructions to install the utility.
- Sign in to the Google account.
Option 2: Your Admin Downloads GSSMO to your Computer
Depending on your Windows version, choose either Option 1 or Option 2
- Windows 7 and later
- Click the Start button, go to the Microsoft System Center.
- Select the Software Center and then Applications.
- Click on Google Workspace Sync and install the tool.
- Earlier versions of Windows
- Navigate to Control Panel. Select Run Advertised programs.
- Click Google Workspace Sync and run it.
After that, move to import your data.
Option 3: Admin Installed Google Sync Tool for Outlook
- Click the Start menu on the home screen.
- Search and click Set up a Google Workspace Sync user.
- Move to import your data.
G Suite Legacy Free Edition Discontinued – Get Alternative
How to Start Using G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook?
To use this tool, make sure you have completed GSSMO setup and configuration and meet the system requirements. Follow these steps after installation.
- Go to the GSSMO application in the web browser.
- Provide your Google Workspace email address. Click the Continue button.

- Then, the browser sign-in page will open.

- Provide the password and approve the permissions.

- Click the Allow button. An Outlook profile creation window will appear for G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook profile setup.

- Disable “Import data from existing profile”. Then create a profile.

- After that, start Microsoft Outlook.

By following the above steps, the tool will start connecting your Google Workspace account to MS Outlook, and your data will start synchronizing. It syncs some types of data but not all, such as.
What Data Will You Sync with GSSMO?
Data that you can sync from Google Workspace to Outlook
- Emails
- Folders and Labels
- Contacts
- Calendars
- Tasks
- Notes
Data that cannot be synced
- Outlook Public Folders
- Rich Text Format (RTF)
- Outlook for Mac Data
- Personal Gmail accounts
- Some advanced Exchange features
Limitations of G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook
The G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook is useful to sync your data. However, it also has issues that you should know.
- When syncing large mailboxes, many users face slow synchronization during the process. Having a large mailbox takes hours and takes a lot of disk usage, memory, and CPU.
- GSSMO makes your data in a local Outlook data file (OST). It consumes a lot of disk space, slows down your Outlook performance, and causes freezing issues.
- This is not a reliable solution, as you may face calendar sync issues like recurring events not syncing properly, time zone mismatch, or duplicate calendar entries.
- You will not get full advanced Outlook features, as it does not support all functions like Outlook public folders, Rich Text Format emails, certain Exchange-specific features, etc.
- It is not available for Mac systems. So, you can only use it on a Windows computer.
- You may face many sync issues because of sync conflicts. Also, it does not sync the data in real-time, which make it difficult to handle your data in Outlook.
- GSSMO is not designed for migration purposes. It only syncs data that allows you to view your Google data in Outlook.
- You cannot sync multiple accounts. So, this tool is not suitable for handling multiple accounts.
There are various problems one can face when using this tool. But there are ways that you can fix the problem.
Fixed Common GSSMO Tool Issues
Use these troubleshooting solutions when you are facing issues during the process.
- Quick 5 Minute Fixes: These are the minor and quick fixes that resolve the issues in GSSMO quickly.
- Force Manual Sync: Right-click the GSSMO icon >> select View sync status. Click the Sync Now button.
- Restart the program: Close Outlook and restart the computer. Then, reopen MS Outlook.
- Reset Password: If your password has recently changed, it means that the sync tool is using outdated credentials. For this, go to Start button >> Google Workspace Sync >> Delete saved password. Re-login to Outlook using the new password.
- Check Connectivity: Make sure Outlook is not in Offline Mode, and no VPN or firewall blocks your connection.
- Re-sync Missing Data: If specific email or calendar events are missing. Use the overwrite tool.
- Right-click the icon of GSSMO. Then click View sync status.
- Press Re-sync next to the failing data type.
- Select Overwrite and then Re-sync.
- Change Default Mailbox Size limit: The G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook has a default local storage limit. If your file reaches its maximum limit, the process will stop.
- Right-click on the icon, select Set local mailbox size.
- Choose your larger limit or set it to unlimited.
- If you choose unlimited settings, it may degrade the performance if the file exceeds 50 GB.
- Use Updated Software: Working in an outdated tool will cause issues like compatibility bugs, even after Windows updates. Make sure you use the updated GSSMO.
- Recreate Outlook Profile: Your Outlook profile can be corrupted, which leads to not syncing your data. Here are the steps to fix it.
- Close your Outlook and open Control Panel.
- Go to Mail, then Show Profiles.
- Remove your current GSSMO profile. Then, launch Set up a Google Workspace Sync user app from your start menu to create a brand new profile.
So, these are the solutions you can use to fix G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook not syncing problem. But, if the problem still exists, try the alternative option.
Alternative to G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook Tool
If G Suite is not syncing with Outlook. In that case, use the SysTools Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration Tool to connect your account. This software is specifically created to move your data from your Google account to Microsoft 365. This way, you can access your important emails, contacts, calendars, and other data in your Outlook without any issues. If you fail to move your contacts using the native Google utility, try this method.
Conclusion
G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook is a useful utility that allows you to sync your Google data to Outlook. In this article, I have discussed everything about the utility, from the benefits, system requirements, admin settings, downloading GSSMO, to how to start using it. Make sure you also learn its limitations, and if you are having a problem using the tool, try the alternative method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I install GWSMO on my Mac?
Ans. No, the Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook is not available on macOS. Outlook for Mac does not support the Messaging Application Programming Interface, which is mandatory for working.
Q. Is there any Outlook feature that is not supported by the tool?
Ans. Yes, Google Workspace Sync is unable to use Public folders or Rich Text Format (RTF).
Q. When is the G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook end of life?
Ans. Officially, neither Google nor Microsoft has announced an expiry date for GSSMO. However, there has been an observable decline in the level of active maintenance this software receives, which has resulted in multiple compatibility issues.