Solved Thunderbird email Imap users help please ???

jimbo45 · Mar 1, 2023

Hi folks
I've been trying out latest version of Thunderbird on W11 -- on the whole seems quite good --especially as it's free and can have multiple accounts

However I've got something weird in the configuration probably and can't see how to fix it.

I have 2 accounts set up on totally different servers as IMAP accounts.

Receive and Send works perfectly for both account 1 and account 2 (account 1 set up as default).

However ALL sent messages from Account 1 and account 2 seem to end up in the SENT folder of account 1

Do I need to have a separate identity / mail box or whatever -- all I want is for the SENT items to be saved in the proper SENT folder of the account under which I sent the email.

Any help much appreciated.

Now fixed -- not intuitive !!!

You need under each mail account under the smtp server settings --> edit the smtp server add the email account to the description field then it works OK !!! -- Some of these appd need a doctorate / Phd in computer science !!!! to get working.

I've left the two fields here blank but copy the bottom field (which will be filled in on your account) to the top one.

I don't care about the server name appearing in the post as unauthorized users won't get in. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

TVeblen · Mar 1, 2023

I've been using Thunderbird for many years. I have 7 email accounts - 3 POP3, 4 IMAP.

I don't know if you have already done this, but I've found that is simpler and easier to set up each account using the 'wizard' (Add Mail Account). You enter the email address and password and just let Thunderbird create the account and negotiate all the port settings and protocols. Once created, then I go in and edit what I want - but leave the port info alone. This has always worked flawlessly while manual setup has run into problems.

When you go to Tools > Account Settings (or Menu > Account Settings), scroll down on the left side till you get to Outgoing Server (SMTP) and highlight it. You should have 2 accounts there, one for each email address you added. Is that the case?

jimbo45 · Mar 1, 2023

TVeblen said:
I've been using Thunderbird for many years. I have 7 email accounts - 3 POP3, 4 IMAP.

I don't know if you have already done this, but I've found that is simpler and easier to set up each account using the 'wizard' (Add Mail Account). You enter the email address and password and just let Thunderbird create the account and negotiate all the port settings and protocols. Once created, then I go in and edit what I want - but leave the port info alone. This has always worked flawlessly while manual setup has run into problems.

When you go to Tools > Account Settings (or Menu > Account Settings), scroll down on the left side till you get to Outgoing Server (SMTP) and highlight it. You should have 2 accounts there, one for each email address you added. Is that the case?

Hi there
@TVeblen

that works for many standard servers - but for some non standard servers e.g from Iceland with scandinavian characters manual setup is the only way possible. At least now Manual set up works easily --before it was almost impossible to set up as you'd be forced into "automatic set up" and the wretched thing would just hang for ages because it couldn't find your server in its database of servers and you'd have to re-boot to kill the application.

It's a great email client now though for those not having Outlook etc or who want to have a good email client when on Linux etc.

Cheers
jimbo

TVeblen · Mar 1, 2023

Yeah, that would be frustrating. Glad to hear you got it sorted.
You'll like Thunderbird. It's simple, doesn't nag, and just works.

idgat · Mar 1, 2023

Hint : Don't let Tbird auto find the servers and server details

Delete the accounts already installed and start again. Even better, also delete the profiles
[/C:\Users\[UserName]Greg\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles/] and start again.

Open Tbird
Create profile name
Close the account setup window ([/[*YOU/]*] take control of the account setups !) but leave Tbird open
Tools > Account settings > Account actions (pull down menu, bottom of LH column) > Add email account
Insert account details > Insert account titeles/details
DO NOT SELECT CONTINUE
Select Configure manually
Insert details (check the ISP/domain name website for email settings)
Re-test (NOT DONE button)

Above method might be a tiresome but a much better method if your IMAP/S<TP server settings don't go exactly to the stanadr settings of your email domain name.

Running Tbird with 10+ accounts - some go straight to the correct settings because the IMAP/SMTP servers match the domain name, but others need manual intervention, particularly if the SMTP mail server is diffent from the email domain

EDIT : Also note that some ISP mail servers will not "relay" sent mail from another domain i.e. you can't use an SMTP server from another domain that doesn't match your email address domain. Varies from server/ISP to server/ISP, some do, some don't

TVeblen · Mar 1, 2023

Curious what we would be gaining doing it that way.

idgat · Mar 1, 2023

jimbo45 said:
It's a great email client now though for those not having Outlook etc or who want to have a good email client when on Linux etc.

Cheers
jimbo

It's a great (even better !!) email client even if you do have Outlook (mind you, a pair of carrier pigeons would be a better mail client than Outlook !!) and works excellently with Windows as well as Linux.

If only they'd do a Android version .... (and not just the Thunderbird pseudo-Android version K9-Mail)

Edwin · Mar 1, 2023

idgat said:
... mind you, a pair of carrier pigeons would be a better mail client than Outlook !!

idgat · Mar 1, 2023

TVeblen said:
Curious what we would be gaining doing it that way.

To whom is this directed ?

Edwin · Mar 1, 2023

I always thought Thunderbird was great but hated the messy UI!
(Outlook is even worse!!!)

jimbo45 · Mar 2, 2023

Edwin said:
I always thought Thunderbird was great but hated the messy UI!
(Outlook is even worse!!!)

For a fast lightweight FREE email program try the port to Windows of claws-email (multiple accounts, decent GUI - nice thread display etc.

Claws Mail for Windows

cheers
jimbo

fixer · Mar 2, 2023

Check your draft before sending and check the From account. I have accounts in TBird for both Gmail and Outlook and have accidentally sent from the wrong account on more than one occasion as the sending account will automatically be the account the cursor is currently on in the Folders column. I don't like it at all and think the user should be asked which account to use when sending.

Edwin · Mar 2, 2023

fixer said:
Check your draft before sending and check the From account. I have accounts in TBird for both Gmail and Outlook and have accidentally sent from the wrong account on more than one occasion as the sending account will automatically be the account the cursor is currently on in the Folders column. I don't like it at all and think the user should be asked which account to use when sending.

Been there, done that!
I think most clients are like that though, either the default on a new session or which ever folder had last focus.

idgat · Mar 2, 2023

fixer said:
Check your draft before sending and check the From account. I have accounts in TBird for both Gmail and Outlook and have accidentally sent from the wrong account on more than one occasion as the sending account will automatically be the account the cursor is currently on in the Folders column. I don't like it at all and think the user should be asked which account to use when sending.