Office of Information Technology

Using Thunderbird for a better email experience

NB: Development of Eudora ceased in October 2006. We encourage people to use the Mozilla Thunderbird email client configured for the IMAP mail protocol. This combination offers many advantages over other email clients and/or the POP mail protocol.

Easy setup:

Download Thunderbird from http://www.getthunderbird.com. and install it. On Windows, run the Installer you've downloaded. On Mac OS X, open the disk image you've downloaded and copy Thunderbird to your Applications folder. Add Thunderbird to your Mac OS X Dock, by dragging /Applications/Thunderbird to the Dock.

Launch Thunderbird. The first time it lauches, you'll be presented with a wizard which will help you configure your account. Enter the following values:

Import Settings and Mail Folders from: Don't import anything
New Account Setup Email account
Your Name
Email Address 		Enter your name and email address, the way you like to give it to other people, e.g.: jdoe@life.illinois.edu or jdoe@illinois.edu
Server Information
Type:
Incoming Server:
Outgoing Server:
IMAP
life.illinois.edu
smtp.life.illinois.edu
User Names
Incoming User Name:
Outgoing User Name:
Incoming & Outgoing User Name must match your Life Sciences account name, which is usually the same as your campus NetID, e.g: jdoe
Account Name This can be whatever suits you. Usually the default value is fine.

You'll be asked to login with your password. Cancel this for now. We need to make a few adjustments to the basic configuration before everything is configured, so choose Account Settings from the Tools menu. The Account Settings window will open with configuration categories along the left.

Server Settings Security Settings - Use secure connection: TLS
Use secure authentication: unchecked
Composition Automatically quote the original message when replying, Then:
start my reply above the quote
Outgoing Server (SMTP) Edit button will open SMTP Server window --
Server Name: smtp.life.illinois.edu
Port: 587
Security and Authentication
Use name and password: checked
User name: Life Sciences ID, e.g.: jdoe
Use secure connection: TLS
Use the "OK" buttons to close the Account Settings windows. Now login by clicking on the "Get Mail" button.

Advanced setup:

  • Download Thunderbird from www.getthunderbird.com and install it. Also download our recommended settings: user.js (Right click and "Save as")
  • Once installed launch Thunderbird. It will give you a prompt for "New Account Setup". At this point exit Thunderbird as you do not want to set up your account yet.
    • On Windows go to "Start" then "Run" and type "%AppData%/Thunderbird/Profiles/". Then open the folder named "XXXXXXXX.default" (it should be the only folder there), and move "user.js" there.
    • On Mac click on your desktop then go to "Go" then "Go to Folder" and type "~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/". Then open the folder named "XXXXXXXX.default" (it should be the only folder there), and move "user.js" there.
  • Launch Thunderbird again. It will prompt you to enter a password for "johndoe@life.illinois.edu" twice, cancel both times.
  • Go to "Tools" then "Account Settings".
  • With "johndoe@life.illinois.edu" on the left hand side selected change the following settings.
    1. Change "Account Name" to your Life Sciences email address.
    2. Change "Your Name" to your real name.
    3. Change "Email Address" to your Life Sciences email address.
  • With "Server Settings" on the left hand side selected change the following settings.
    1. Change "User Name" to your Life Sciences account name. You do not need @life.illinois.edu after it
  • With "Outgoing Server" on the left hand side selected, and "johndoe - smtp.life.illinois.edu (Default)" selected, click "Edit" and change the following.
    1. Change "User Name" to your Life Sciences account name. You do not need @life.illinois.edu, or @life.illinois.edu after it
  • Then close "Account Settings" and enter your password.
  • If you want to attach a signature select "Write".
    1. Type the signature you want into the body of the message leaving all other fields (to, subject) blank.
    2. I sugguest leaving a blank link at the top of your signature for appearance reasons.
    3. Go to "File" then "Save as" then "File"
      • On Windows in the "File name:" field type "%AppData%" then hit enter, then select the folder "Thunderbird" then "Profiles" then the "XXXXXXXX.default" folder, then in the "File name:" field type "signature.txt" and hit save.
      • On Mac in next to the "Save As:" field is a blue button with a blick triangle, click it. Then below select "Library" then "Thunderbird" then "Profiles" then the "XXXXXXXX.default" folder, then in the "Save As:" field type "signature.txt" and hit save.
    4. Now close that message, and go to "Write" again and you should see the signature on the bottom of the message.
  • Then close Thunderbird.
    • On Windows go to "Start" then "Run" and type "%AppData%/Thunderbird/Profiles/". Then open the folder named "XXXXXXXX.default" (it should be the only folder there), and delete "user.js"
    • On Mac click on your desktop then go to "Go" then "Go to Folder" and type "~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/". Then open the folder named "XXXXXXXX.default" (it should be the only folder there), and delete "user.js"
    If you do not do this all your changes will be overwritten the next time you launch Thunderbird.

Advantages

  • Thunderbird

    • Cross Platform compatibility - If you use Windows, Linux, or Mac there is a version of Thunderbird for you
    • Easy to transfer your Profile and Settings between computers, even on different platforms
    • Simple and Straight forward use
    • Truly integrated Address Book and Directory Services
    • Handles multiple email account seamlessly
    • Phising/Scam Protection
    • Auto updates available so you always have the most recent version
    • Better ability to handle/use unique signatures
    • Handles various forms of email with few compatibility issues
    • Filters work well and are easy to setup
    • Seamlessly integrates campus phonebook, even allowing you to search from the "to:" line of an outgoing message
    • Add-ons and themes provide Thunderbird the look and functionality you desire
    • Robust signature options, including html support for signatures
    • It's free

  • IMAP

    • What you see is exactly what is on the server
    • Allows you to access all of your emails from anywhere with an internet connection
    • No need to sort through duplicates of messages
    • Usually it is easier on our mail system

For further help, tips, and tricks please contact us at help@life.illinois.edu
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
help@life.illinois.edu