How to Download Folders From Webmail to Thunderbird

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a type of server that allows email clients such as Thunderbird to communicate with web-mail providers. Many people are familiar with the POP account, which limits the communication and only allows information to be downloaded into the email client. Traditionally, this means all messages are placed into the inbox. IMAP allows for more information, such as folders and messages tags, to be transferred to Thunderbird. IMAP also works in reverse, allowing changes made to your folders in Thunderbird to be reflected on your we- mail screen.

Instructions

1. Check to see if your web-mail provider offers IMAP and enable it. Write down the server name. It should be similar to the format of "imap.server.com."

2. Open Thunderbird and select "Tools" then "Account settings." Click on "Add Account" and choose Email account. Select "Next."

3. Type your name the way you would like for it to appear in the "Your Name" field. Add your complete email address in the "Email Address" field and click on "Next."

4. Choose the IMAP as the type of incoming server. Type the name of the server (imap.server.com). Type the name of the outgoing server (smtp.server.com) below that and click on "Next."

5. Re-enter your complete email address in the "Incoming User Name" field. Repeat for the "Outgoing User Name" and select "Next."

6. Create a name for this email account to appear on Thunderbird. Click on "Next" and verify the information. Select "Finish."

7. Log in with your web-mail password when prompted and wait for Thunderbird to synchronize with your web-mail account. This may take several minutes depending on the number of messages.

Tips & Warnings

• Many web-mail clients do not currently offer IMAP. You can still use a POP account to transfer your messages to Thunderbird, but no folders will transfer.

References

• Thunderbird: Gmail Help
• Indiana University Knowledge Base