How to Use Webmail With Thunderbird

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(2 Ratings)

Using the Webmail extension and its optional components, Mozilla's Thunderbird can send and receive email from Hotmail, Yahoo!, Lycos, MailDotCom, Gmail, Libero, and AOL accounts. This guide shows you how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Mozilla Thunderbird
Webmail extension and optional components

Installing the Components

Step 1

Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird if you have not done so. Run the program.
Step 2

Download the Webmail extension for Thunderbird, and the components for the services you want to use. Remember the path and folder you save them to.
Step 3

Find "Tools" in Mozilla Thunderbird's menu, and click on "Add-ons."
Step 4

Locate the button labeled "Install…" on the "Extensions" tab.
Step 5

Browse to the folder you saved the Webmail extension and double-click on the .xpi file.
Step 6

Restart Thunderbird and repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each Webmail component you wish to install.

Setting Up the POP Account

Step 1

Select "File" from Mozilla Thunderbird's menu, followed by "New" and "Account."
Step 2

Choose "Email Account."
Step 3

Enter your name and e-mail address in the corresponding fields, and then click "Next."
Step 4

Click the radio button next to "POP."
Step 5

Type "localhost" for "Incoming Server," and decide if you wish to use a Global Inbox. Click "Next" after you decide.
Step 6

Fill out your username using your entire e-mail address, such as "user@yahoo.com," or "user@hotmail.com." Click "Next."
Step 7

Name your account whatever you like. This is what will show up as the name of your Webmail account inside Mozilla Thunderbird.
Step 8

Review the information you have entered. Click "Finish."

Setting Up the SMTP Account

Step 1

Open "Account Settings." This is located under the "Tools" menu.
Step 2

Find and click on "Outgoing Server (SMTP)." Locate and select the "Add" button in the main part of the window.
Step 3

Give the SMTP a description, and then input "localhost" for "Server Name." Leave the "Port" number alone.
Step 4

Make sure you have the "Use Name and Password" box ticked. Use your e-mail address for "User Name."

Using the SMTP Account with Your New Webmail Account

Step 1

Find the name of your Webmail account in the list on the left-hand side, above "Outgoing Server (SMTP)."
Step 2

Click on it to bring up your new Webmail account's settings in the main area of the window.
Step 3

Select your new SMTP server's name from the drop-down box.
Step 4

Click the "OK" button.