Mozilla Thunderbird 1

Thunderbird Icon Mozilla Thunderbird is an alternative email program which can be used instead of Outlook Express to access your email account. These instructions will help you setup your email account and adjust the program’s settings to your preferences.

Note About Version Differences

These instructions and screenshots pertain to version 1 of Thunderbird. If you are still using a beta version of this program, please upgrade to the latest version before relying on these instructions. Though these screenshots show Thunderbird in Windows XP, the instructions are the same regardless of which operating system you are using.

Setting Up an Account for the First Time

When you run Thunderbird for the first time, it will automatically prompt you for your settings. If you have already run through this process, you can skip these setup instructions and view the other configuration options below.

  1. Internet Accounts

    This screen will appear when you first launch Thunderbird if you have any other email program installed.

    To Import Your Settings from Another Email Program
    Click that program’s name, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
    To Setup an Account from Scratch
    Select “Don’t import anything,” then click “Next” to continue.
  2. New Account Wizard: New Account Setup

    Select “Email account,” then click “Next” to continue.

  3. New Account Wizard: Identity
    Your name
    Type in your name as you would like it to appear when other people receive email from you. In most cases, you will want to type your first and last name.
    Alternatively, you may wish to use some other name if the email account will be used by more than one person within a family or organization. Examples are:
    • Smith Family
    • ABC Company
    • Community Church
    • etc...
    Email Address
    Enter your full email address.
  4. New Account Wizard: Server Information
    Select the Type of Incoming Server You Are Using
    Leave this option on its default setting, “POP.”
    Incoming Server
    Type your incoming mail server name.
    Outgoing Server
    Type your outgoing mail server name.
  5. New Account Wizard: User Names

    By default, both options on this screen will contain the correct information, assuming your entered your email address correctly in the previous steps. Just click “Next” to continue.

  6. Mail Server Password Required
    Account Name
    If you wish, you may change the name of your account to something more meaningful.
  7. New Account Wizard: Congratulations!

    Click “Finish” to close the wizard.

  8. Mail Server Password Required
    When Checking Your Email for the First Time
    Thunderbird will automatically ask you to enter your password. Your password is the same as the one you use to connect to the service.
    Use Password Manager to Remember This Password
    You may turn this option off if you wish to be prompted for your password each time you check your email. We recommend that you leave it checked.
  9. Alert

    This message will appear, reminding you about your responsibility to protect your sensitive information. Click “OK” to clear the message and continue using the program.

Checking Other Settings and Options within Thunderbird

There are other options and settings you may wish to configure for Thunderbird. Some of those options are explained below.

  1. Launch the “Account Settings” window.
    1. Within Thunderbird, click the “Tools” menu.
    2. Choose “Accounts Settings” from that menu.
    3. When the “Account Settings” window appears, click “Server Settings” in the left-hand column.
  2. Account Settings: Server Settings
    Server Name
    This should match the name of your incoming mail server.
    User Name
    This must be set to the first part of your email address. Do not include the @-symbol or the domain name.
    Server Settings
    There are many options in this section. We recommend that you leave them all at their default settings.
  3. Account Settings: Outgoing Server (SMTP)

  4. Launch the "SMTP Server" window, by clicking edit.

    5. Account Settings: Outgoing Server (SMTP)
    Server Name
    This should match the name of your outgoing mail server.
    Use Name and Password
    You should enable this option
    User Name
    This must be set to the first part of your email address. Do not include the @-symbol or the domain name.

  5. Click “OK” to close the save your changes and to close the dialog box.