Setting Up Thunderbird 2 (Windows)
This document will help you configure Thunderbird for Windows to work with your USC email account.
Thunderbird is a full-featured email program that also offers RSS and newsgroup services. For additional information about Thunderbird and its services, please visit the Thunderbird Project website. This website is not maintained by ITS, and ITS is not responsible for the content on the website.
What You Will Need
- A connection to the Internet.
- A USC username and password.
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A copy of the latest build or version of Thunderbird for Windows, which you can download for free from the Thunderbird project website, at http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird.
Using the Import Wizard
If you have never used Thunderbird before, the Import Wizard will launch the first time you open Thunderbird. If you wish to migrate settings or messages from another email program, such as Netscape or Outlook, you may do so by selecting appropriate options in the Import Wizard.
- Double-click the Thunderbird icon.
Figure 1:Thunderbird migration Window -
Select what you wish to import and press Next to automatically import your mail, account settings, and address books. To setup your account manually, select Don't Import Anything
Figure 2: Thunderbird migration complete
The wizard gives you the option to import settings and messages from your previous email program.
New Account Setup
After launching Thunderbird the first time, the New Account Wizard may launch as shown below with a series of radio buttons that will allow you to set up an email account, RSS account, or newsgroup account.
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If the New Account Wizard does not launch automatically, you may open it by going to the Tools menu and selecting Account Settings. Press Add Account. The Account Wizard should then open.
Figure3: Thunderbird account setup Window -
Enter your name and email address and then press Next.
Figure 4: Enter your name and USC email address -
Select the type of your incoming server. USC recommends the use of IMAP (see IMAP vs. POP3) Enter your server address:
email.usc.edu Note: If you choose to use POP3, you may check Use Global Inbox. Many people with multiple POP mail accounts prefer to use Global Inbox, where all mail is stored and managed in one folder directory. Caution: by default, Thunderbird will
not leave email on server after download.Then enter the outgoing email server:
email.usc.edu Press Next.
Figure 5: Enter email server information -
Enter your username for receiving mail. This is your USC email account username (e.g., ttrojan). You may also need to enter your username for sending mail (the same as the username for receiving mail).
Press Next.
Figure 6: Enter your USC username -
Name this email profile to be displayed in Thunderbird, Press Next.
Figure 7: Profile name -
The Wizard should show you a summary of your account information.
Figure 8: Email account summary -
After clicking Finish, you still have one or two more things to set up.
Click Tools, then Account Settings. Then click on the Outgoing Server(SMTP) option. Select your USC account and click Edit.
Make sure that Use name and password is checked, and also that TLS is selected under Use secure connection. Set the port number field to 587. If you are off-campus, you may use your Internet Service Provider's outgoing settings if you wish, but email.usc.edu will work from any ISP as long as you use your username and password and use a TLS connection on port 587.
From this menu, you may also customize the settings for the account, and how Thunderbird behaves when using this account. This includes leaving a copy of messages on the server for a POP account, and setting up SSL for your incoming server.
Checking your Email
To check for new email, launch Thunderbird and it will ask you for your password (unless you asked Password Manager to remember it). After you type in your password, you should see your new email in your Inbox displayed in bold.
- If you are already running Thunderbird, click on the Get Mail button on the toolbar.
- You can also click on the File menu, then select Get New Mail For and then select the email account you want to check.
Composing and Sending Email
To write and send a message, click the Write button on the toolbar, or click the File menu, select New, and then Message. Both of these functions will bring up a Compose message window.
- In the To: field, type the recipient's email address. You can enter multiple addresses by separating each address with a comma.
- In the Subject: field, type a brief description of your message.
- After completing the To: and Subject: fields, type your message in the space below. When you are finished, click on the Send button.
Getting Help
Thunderbird has online help guides to assist you with its additional features. To find it look under the Help menu or visit the Thunderbird project website at http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird .
If you have any questions or need assistance with configuring Thunderbird, please contact the ITS Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or email consult@usc.edu .
Last updated:
February 03, 2011