Thunderbird FAQs

  1. How do I set up my IMAP servers
    For Windows (courtesy of ITD)
    For Mac OS (courtesy of ITD)

    SECURITY NOTE:
    After configuring your account in Thunderbird and click Finish, it will prompt you for your password. Click cancel first and then setup the SSL or TLS as described in step 4
  2. How do I set up server-side filtering? Note: Server-side filtering will remove desired items regardless of what your mail client is.
  3. How do I add a signature to Thunderbird?
    • You must first make a text file with all the information you want in your signature
    • Name it something easy to remember like: signature.txt (see signature sample file)
    • Save the text file to your K: drive (remember this location)
    • Open the Tools menu
    • Open Account Settings
    • Click the checkbox that says: Attach this signature
    • Use the Choose button to navigate to where you placed your signature file
    • Click the OK button
  4. How to I enable e-mail security measures for Thunderbird?
    • For Incoming messages, do the following
      • Open Tools
      • Open Account Settings
      • On left side, click: Server Settings
      • On the right, under Use Secure Settings, click the radio button that says, "TLS, if available"
      • Click OK
    • For Outgoing Messages:
      • Open Tools
      • Open Account Settings
      • On left side, click: Outgoing Server (SMTP)
      • Select the server labeled: smtp.ncsu.edu
      • Click Edit
      • In the pop-up box that appears, Click the checkbox that says: Use name and password
      • Enter your username in the box titled: User Name
      • Under secure connection, click the TLS, if available button
      • Click OK
  5. How do I add colors, fonts, and formatting to my e-mails?
    • Begin a new message by click the Write button
    • In the composition window, open the View Menu
    • Open up Toolbars Menu
    • Make sure there is a check mark by the Formatting Toolbar Option
    • If there is not one, click the menu option to add the check mark
    • There should now be a toolbar for formatting e-mails inside the composition window
      Note:
      The option to turn ON the formatting toolbar will not appear if the HTML emails feature is turned OFF. If you don't see that toolbar then follow these steps:
    • Go to the Tools menu and choose the Account Settings command
    • Under "Composition and Addressing" turn on "Compose messages in HTML format".
    • Next time you click Write, the toolbar option should appear.
  6. How do I add different headings to the list of e-mails, such as size, or recipient?
    • At the end of the headings row, is a small, square button.
    • Click the button to open a drop-down list of the different headings
    • By adding a removing checkmarks next to headings they will be added and removed from the displayed headings
  7. How do I sort by a particular heading (Subject, Sender, etc.)
    • Make sure the heading you want to sort by is present, if not see question 7.
    • Otherwise, simply click on the heading you wish to sort by.
    • Clicking on a heading multiple times will change it from Ascending to Descending order, and back.
  8. My sent mail is no longer in my outgoing folder from Eudora, where is it located?

    9. From now on, your outgoing mail is located in the Sent folder under your IMAP account

  9. I am receiving messages/e-mails that I am using 90 % of my quota, what can I do?
    • One of the easiest things to do is start deleting large e-mails. You can add the size heading to your mail (see question 6 for instructions) to see which e-mails are taking up the most space.
    • Make sure your trash folder has been emptied out
    • You can re-allocate your personal space to allow more/less space for e-mail, k: drive, and profile space. See How do I check or reallocate my storage space for more information.
    • If none of the above work, please contact help@csc.ncsu.edu for further assistance
  10. Where are my Local Folders Stored?:
    • For people starting Thunderbird for the first time:

      By default, your local mail is stored on the network drive that stores your local profile (M: drive). Because this space is shared with the mail and K: drive we do not recommend moving mail to the local folders. You can create all the folders you will need or want right inside your IMAP folder. Please, do NOT change the local folder settings to something on the local hard drive (C:) without first discussing a back-up procedure with an IT Staff member.

    • For people importing files from Eudora:

      Your local folder will be kept in the same place that Eudora was storing mail previously. Please contact an IT Staff member to discuss a back-up procedure for this locally kept e-mail

  11. How can I use templates in Thunderbird?
    • To create a template…
      • Create a folder under your IMAP account called “Templates
      • Click write to start a new e-mail
      • Add all of the things to the e-mail that you want to be a part the template. (All pics, links, etc.).
      • Under the File menu in the e-mail you are composing, Click Save As…
    • Save the e-mail as a template
      • To use a template
      • Click on the templates folder
      • Find the e-mail you wish to use as your template
      • Double click the e-mail
      • It should open for editing.
  12. Sometimes when I send e-mail, a pop-up comes up asking me about plain text messages. How do I get rid of that?
    • Open tools
    • Open Options
    • On the left: Click the Composition Buttton
    • On the right: Click the Send Options… button
    • Under Text Format Section, On the pull-down menu, change the setting to be: Send the message in both plain text and HTML
    • Click OK
    • Click OK
  13. Forwarding messages: Inline vs. As attachment

    Inline: means the original message will be copied and pasted inside a new message.
    As attachment: means the original message will be an attachment added to the new message

    To change this option, go to:

Other Miscellaneous FAQs

Does switching from POP->IMAP have any effect for users who are forwarding their mail

NO, whether a user has a POP or IMAP email service, switching will have no effect on the forward status.

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How do I know whether I am a POP or IMAP user?

Login to NCSU Sysnews lookup tool at https://sysnews.ncsu.edu/user-lookup/ and look under the "Email
Information" section. If it says "POP server:", then you are a POP user.

Also, you should have received an email from ITD informing you that you are a POP user and what actions to take.

Can I setup my own mail server?

CSC IT teams doesn't recommend it neither will support it.

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