Setting up Thunderbird for Windows (via IMAP protocol)

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Thunderbird can be downloaded from http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/   .Thunderbird has similar functionality as Eudora, user friendly, and it's freeware. Please send an email to astuy@bio.fsu.edu if you need a copy and can't download it. 

We will be setting up Thunderbird as IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). Who should use Thunderbird and why? If you are using webmail.bio.fsu.edu to check your bio email and you created folders there it will be a good idea to use Thunderbird. Also if you want to be able to send to the smtp-auth protected aliases you can use Thunderbird. IMAP protocol will not download the messages from the server, so you will be still able to use webmail.bio.fsu.edu to check your e-mails.

How to install?
Download the installer file from the page above, and double-click the file.


If you got any programs running, close them as advised. Press next.


Read the agreement, if you agree, check the box and press "Next".

Choose standard, press "Next".

The installer will tell you where Thunderbird will be installed, Click Next to continue.

This is how it'll look as Thunderbird is being installed on your computer.

Press finish to start Thunderbird for the first time.

Setting up Thunderbird

When you open Thunderbird for the first time, you need to create a new account, I will try to show you this step by step.

First click on "Create a new account".

Select "Email account" and press next.

Fill in your name and email address, press next.

Select "IMAP" for the type of server and for the incoming and outgoing server, type "bio.fsu.edu", press next.

Now fill in your user name for your bio.fsu.edu email, for example "ram", press next.

Now you are asked what you would like to call this account, choose yourself, press next.

Default will be your e-mail address, press next.

Mark your email address and press "Get mail".

We need to change few things on Account Settings; to dat go to "Tools" > "Account Settings"

Hightlight the "ServerSettings" , and select "SSL" for the Use secure connection options.And Click on "Advanced"

Type "Mail" for the "IMAP server directory" and uncheck the box for "Show only subscribed folders" and Click on "OK"

Highlight the "Outgoing Server(SMTP) and click on "Edit"

Make sure to there is a check mark for "Use name and password" and "TLS" is selected for the "Use secure connection", Click "OK"

When you check your e-mail first time via Thunderbird you might get a "Website Certified by an Unknown Authority", select "Accept this certificate permanently"
and Click "OK"

If you get the following "Security Error" Ignore it and Click "OK"

Comments on this article, can be sent to ram@bio.fsu.edu