Of course you still use a web browser. But...
I suggest that you log into MYACCOUNT.AOL.COM and utilize the facility in which AOL generates a password for third party apps.
As it appears to me...
AOL****will generate a working password for your desktop application to use which apparently is acceptable to AOL. It is a password that is used by your mail application only.
You still use your private AOL password to log into AOL. The generated password is used only by your application (under the covers) to establish the connection.
So, log into myaccount.aol.com (and log in with your email account with your normal AOL password)
Go to myprofile-> change password
(look at the bottom of the screen. See Manage app passwords)
Click on Manage app passwords
Use the dropdown labeled Select your app to select your mail application. You may need to use the application called OTHER
Click Generate a password to be used by your application when it connects to AOL.
Utilize that long password when you set up your mail application. (Can't help you precisely with the setting up of your application).
Your app may require the entry of that long password once or twice during the setup process. It should work with Windows 10 Mail and in my case an older version of Outlook)
I would write that password down and keep it as you may botch it the first time you try to set up your application. After it works, that password is not used again. All you can ever do is delete it from AOL, but don't do that as it is erases the fact that AOL gave you that password and expects your application to present it when the app connects to AOL.
I believe that the spaces in the long password are not used when you enter it. The password is case sensitive.
Unless AOL has made you change your normal AOL password during the setup process, you should continue to use the old password to log into AOL. The long generated password simply remains under the covers.
You can also refer to DAG57's post of September 5 2020 for his experience on same technique.