Sync Windows 8 with Google Calendar

If you use both Windows 8 and Google Calendar, it can be useful to synchronize the calendar with the operating system. You can find out how this works and what restrictions exist here.

Step 1: Copy the address of the Google calendar

Unfortunately, Google removed the option to fully synchronize Google Calendar with Windows 8 some time ago. However, you can still view your Google Calendar in the calendar app of the operating system:

1. Open Google Calendar in your web browser. At the top right click on the gear and select "Settings".
2. Switch to the "Calendar" tab. Now click on the calendar that you would like to display later in Windows 8.
3. In the "Home address" area, click on the ICAL symbol. Copy the address that is now displayed to the clipboard.

Step 2: Subscribe to the Google Calendar on Windows 8

1. Open the Live Calendar in your browser and log in with your Microsoft account. Click on "Import" in the top bar of the calendar.
2. Click "Subscribe" in the top left. Now use [Ctrl] + [V] to paste the address of your Google calendar into the "Calendar URL" field. Enter any name for the calendar in the "Calendar name" field. You can also assign a color and an icon (charm) to the calendar. Confirm your entries with "Subscribe".
3. Since the Windows 8 calendar automatically synchronizes with your online account, the entries in your Google Calendar now also appear in the Calendar app. However, it may take some time for the appointments to appear.

Unfortunately, the calendar is only synchronized in one direction with this method. This means that you cannot use the Windows 8 calendar app to create new appointments in your Google Calendar or edit existing entries. We will explain in another practical tip how you can synchronize the Google Calendar with Thunderbird.