If you collect email on your desktop computer, you probably rely on Gmail in your browser. On a work PC, you might also use Microsoft Outlook, particularly if your organization uses Microsoft Exchange.
While Gmail is a great way to access email, it’s not ideal for all purposes. Meanwhile, Microsoft Exchange mail doesn’t necessarily require Outlook. Whether you’re using Linux, macOS, or Windows, Mozilla Thunderbird is an excellent way to access your email inbox.
Here’s what you need to know about setting up your email account with Thunderbird.
Why Use Thunderbird for Email?
When you use Gmail, your emails are typically accessed through the browser. This means that you probably have a browser tab open, waiting for emails to appear. You might also have alerts enabled to notify you of new messages.
Accessing emails using Thunderbird means employing a separate app. This lets you close browser tabs to your Gmail account. In turn, this saves memory and potentially battery if you use a laptop.
But Thunderbird has many other advantages. It is an excellent email client, capable of handling multiple accounts, along with contacts, calendar, and tasks views.
In addition, it also handles chat (Google Talk, IRC, XMPP), RSS, and Newsgroups (Usenet).
In short, it is a powerful email client that can be used for multiple purposes. Better still, Thunderbird is open source, and free to and use If you’re not already using Mozilla Thunderbird, you can download it in various languages.
How to Use Gmail in Thunderbird
To access your Gmail account in Thunderbird (or, indeed, any other mail client) start by finding the account settings.
- Gmail POP inbox configuration
- Gmail IMAP settings
These settings can also be found in your Gmail account as follows:
- Click the Settings cog
- Click See all settings
- Switch to the Formatting and POP/IMAP tab
- For POP, go to POP download and click Configuration instructions
- For IMAP, scroll to IMAP access and click Configuration instructions
Make a note of the correct settings for later.
Next, open Thunderbird and follow the link to create a new email account. If you have already attempted doing so and failed, select Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account and input your Name, Email address, and Password.
In some cases you can use automated setup, available by clicking Continue. Otherwise, press the Configure manually button to enter the details for the POP or IMAP server, along with the SMTP details, correct Port number, and accurate username.
The next stage is the most important for Gmail.
- Click Advanced configuration
- Security settings and click Authentication method
- Select OAuth2
- When the popup appears, enter your Gmail account credentials and click OK
- Click Allow to enable Thunderbird to collect messages from your Gmail account
You’re now ready to use Thunderbird as your Gmail client.
Set up a POP or IMAP Email Account in Thunderbird
What if your email provider doesn’t use Gmail? Perhaps you have a basic email account from your ISP, or you run a website and wish to use the email address you set up for the domain.
Whatever the case here, the same rule applies first: know the key account details. You can check these by consulting the relevant documentation from your ISP or web host. With the details found and copied down, you’re ready to create a new account in Thunderbird. Most of these steps are similar adding a Gmail account.
- Click the menu, then select New > Existing Mail Account
- Here, add your Name, Email address, and Password then click Configure manually
- Next, configure the Incoming settings, making sure to select IMAP or POP as per the email account details you noted.
- Select the right Port, SSL, Authentication, and Username
- Repeat for the Outgoing settings
- Click Done when you’ve finished
- In the event of an error, make changes, then click Re-test
- Use Advanced config to select options that aren’t available in the main set up screen
When you’ve finished, the email account should be successfully set up in Thunderbird.
Get a New Account With Thunderbird
In addition to setting up an existing email account in Thunderbird, the software also lets you create a new account. Two subscription-based providers, Mailfence and Gandi.net offer their emails through Thunderbird.
- Select menu, then New > Get a New Mail Account
- Input your name (or preferred email handle) and click Search
- Wait for the results
- Choose your preferred email account suggestion
- Subscribe and follow the instructions to set up the account
If you don’t already have an email account, this is a good option for accessing a reliable, secure service. However, many free alternatives are available.
Get Exchange Email in Thunderbird
Another important configuration for Thunderbird is to access work emails. But if a Microsoft Exchange server is used by your organization to handle emails, you may run into difficulty.
By default, Thunderbird cannot access Exchange email servers. But by installing a Thunderbird add-on, you’ll get Exchange compatibility. This also works with email accounts associated with Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions.
Just as Mozilla Firefox and other web browsers support add-ons and extensions, so does Mozilla Thunderbird. These bring various enhancements to the email client, from spellcheck and Nextcloud integration to conversation threading.
Another option, more pertinent to this guide, is to add Microsoft Exchange support with ExQuilla for Exchange.
Designed to handle messages and sync contacts on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and later, ExQuilla for Exchange is easy to set up.
- In Thunderbird, open the menu and select Add-ons
- Here, search for “exquilla”
- In the results, click Add to Thunderbird, then Add to confirm
With ExQuilla for Exchange installed, restart Thunderbird before using.
To set up an Exchange email account in Thunderbird, go to Tools > ExQuilla for Microsoft Exchange > Add Microsoft Exchange Account. Alternatively, from the Account Settings, go to Account Actions > Add Microsoft Exchange Account.
When prompted, add your email address and password. If your Exchange server requires a separate username, add this, along with the domain. Click Next to proceed, then wait for the auto discover tool to find the Microsoft Exchange EWS URL. This is a web link, such as https://outlook.office365.com/EWS/Exchange.asmx. In most cases, this will auto detect, so you can click Next. If you run into problems here, confirm with the mail server administrator.
Once you have clicked Next, the email Exchange account will be added to Thunderbird.
Now You Can Access Any Inbox in Thunderbird
In an age of web based email, Gmail, Outlook, and other solutions are popular. Thunderbird gives you greater control over your emails, however, with a whole bunch of other options if you need them. With add-ons, Thunderbird can be used as a Microsoft Exchange email client, integrate more closely with Gmail and other Google services, and there’s also support for Usenet and RSS feeds.
Most importantly, Thunderbird is easy to use, with email accounts setup and ready to use in just a few seconds.
But why shouldn’t you use an email client on your desktop computer? After all, you’re using one on your phone.