This Knowledgebase article will give you the steps to follow on how to setup an email account on Mozilla Thunderbird email client is a simple and efficient way to manage your emails, whether for personal or professional correspondence. In this guide, we show you all the steps to get your email account configured and ready for use.
Table of Contents
How to Setup an Email Account on Mozilla Thunderbird
1. Open the Thunderbird application on your computer. If this is the first time you’re using it, Mail Account Setup should appear automatically.

2. If the setup dialog does not appear, click on the Menu Icon (the three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.

3. In Account Settings, click Account Actions in the bottom left and then choose Add Mail Account.

4. Fill in your name (this is what recipients will see), your full email address, and your account password. Then click Continue.
Manual Configuration
If Thunderbird cannot automatically find your settings, select Configure Manually to enter the incoming and outgoing mail server settings yourself if necessary.
Incoming Mail Server Details
Choose between IMAP (recommended) or POP3 as your incoming protocol. For IMAP, set the hostname (removing any leading periods) and use Port 993.
For POP3, use Port 995. Ensure that connection security and authentication methods are set to Default.
Outgoing Mail Server Details
Update the outgoing server hostname to match the incoming server settings and set the port number to 465. Again, keep connection security and authentication methods as Default.
Click Re-test to verify that all entered details are correct. If correct, a confirmation message will alert you that the set-up was successful.
Once you have confirmed that your settings are accurate, click Done.
Your inbox will now be displayed in the top left corner of Thunderbird.
Additional Information
What Is Mozilla Thunderbird?
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client developed by the Mozilla Foundation (the creators of the Firefox web browser) and compatible with different operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
It has a range of features that allow you to manage multiple email accounts, add filters for incoming messages, and organize your inbox with tags and folders. Additionally, it has a built-in calendar and address book to help you keep track of your schedule and contacts.
Thunderbird Features
Unified Inbox: Thunderbird offers a unified inbox for users who need to manage multiple email accounts; this collects all incoming emails from different accounts into a single view, streamlining communication management.
Enhanced Search and Filtering: Utilize Thunderbird’s powerful search functions to quickly find important messages using keywords, sender names, or file attachments; this makes email organization efficient.
Security Features: Thunderbird prioritizes user security with options like data encryption and built-in phishing protection. Users can activate OpenPGP for extra security when sending sensitive information.
Add-ons For Improved Functionality: There are various extra features in Thunderbird’s Add-ons Manager to expand its functionality; these include tools for calendar integration, task management, and enhanced security.
Offline Management: Having an email account on Mozilla Thunderbird enables users to handle emails without an internet connection, so they can read previously downloaded messages and compose new emails to be sent once they reconnect.
Activate Automatic Updates: To ensure Thunderbird remains current with the latest features and security enhancements, enable automatic updates.
Configuration Editor: For those familiar with technical settings, the Configuration Editor offers access to advanced options not found in standard settings; however, you need to be careful when making changes, as these may impact functionality. Using this feature is recommended for advanced users.