How to Convert POP3 to IMAP in Thunderbird
Many email providers support account access via both the POP3 and IMAP protocols, and if you initially configured your account for the POP3 protocol in Thunderbird you may want to switch to IMAP for its ability to synchronize a single inbox between multiple computers while storing your messages on the server rather than your computer. Access the Account Settings menu in Thunderbird to convert an existing POP3 email account to an IMAP account.
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Instructions
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1
Confirm that you know the password for your email account. Converting a POP3 account to an IMAP account in Thunderbird requires removal of the existing POP3 account. If you do not know your email password you will be unable to access your email account until you recover the password.
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Click "Tools" at the top of the Thunderbird application window and click "Account Settings."
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Click the POP3 email account on the left side of the window that you want to convert. Click the "Account Actions" button in the lower-left corner of the window and select "Remove Account." Click "OK" to confirm.
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Click the "Account Actions" button again and select "Add Mail Account." A new window titled "Mail Account Setup" appears.
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Type your name, email address and password in the three fields at the top of the window. Click the "Remember Password" check box to have Thunderbird enter your password automatically when logging in to your email account, then click "Continue." Thunderbird attempts to configure the account automatically. If the automatic configuration is successful and Thunderbird displays "IMAP" next to the incoming mail server address, click the "Create Account" button to begin using the account. If not, click the "Manual Config" button and continue.
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Click the drop-down menu next to "Incoming," and select "IMAP." Enter the server address, port number, encryption and authentication methods using the following four drop-down menus. You can obtain this information from your email provider. If Thunderbird was unable to configure your outgoing mail settings automatically, repeat these steps with the fields next to "Outgoing."
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Click the "Create Account" button to begin using the email account.
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