1. Open Thunderbird.
2. Go to Tools -> Account Settings. If you have previously created an account in Thunderbird, you may need to then click Add Account.
   Note: The first time you open Thunderbird, the New Account Setup Wizard may pop up. If so, skip to the next step.
3. The New Account Setup Wizard will appear. Click Email account and then click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Fill in your name and email address on the Identity screen. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
5. In the Server Information window click IMAP. Now, click the link below to find out your IMAP mail server.
   
   

   Click here to find out your mail server.

   
   Type the IMAP mail server in the box labeled Incoming Server.
   
   You may also be asked for the Outgoing Server. Type send.columbia.edu in that box.
   
   Note: If you want to use POP instead, click POP and enter your POP mail server for the Incoming Server. Also, make sure that Use Global Inbox is checked. (Should I use POP or IMAP?)
   
   Click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Enter your UNI on the User Name screen and click Next. You may be asked for both an incoming and outgoing user name. They should both be your UNI.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Enter Columbia IMAP on the Account Name screen and click Next. (If you are setting up a POP account, use the name Columbia POP instead.)
   
   
   
   
   
8. The account verification screen will appear. Click Finish if all the information is correct, or Back if you need to go back and correct anything.
   
   
   
   
   

Now that your incoming mail account has been set up, you need to configure some additional preferences.

1. Select Account Settings... from the Tools menu.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Click Server Settings under Columbia IMAP. (View a screenshot of POP settings instead.)
   
   Note: The Server Name may be different from the one in the sceenshot below. This will depend on the mail server you were given here.
   • In the Server Settings pane, check Use secure connection (SSL).
   • This is also the place where you can configure Thunderbird's mail checking and deleting behavior. Whether you want it to check for new mail at startup is a personal preference.
   • The mail checking interval should be at least 10 minutes.
   • AcIS strongly recommends that you have Thunderbird mark deleted messages and expunge the inbox on exit, as indicated in the screen shot. (The alternative, moving deleted messages to the Trash, can cause problems during periods of high mail system volume.)
     Note: If you prefer to manually expunge deleted items from your inbox, please uncheck the box labeled Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit.
   
   
   
   
3. Click Advanced. Make sure that neither of the boxes in the top pane is checked (Show only... and Server supports...), and make sure that the box in the bottom pane IS checked (Allow server...). Click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click Outgoing Server (SMTP).
   
   Tip: If you are using a non-Columbia Internet Service Provider (ISP), they may require you to use the ISP's SMTP (outgoing mail) server rather than Columbia's. AOL, RCN Cable, AT&T DSL, and EarthLink are only a few of the ISPs with special requirements in this regard. Check with your ISP for configuration instructions for outgoing mail if you use a non-Columbia ISP.
   • Enter send.columbia.edu for the Server Name.
   • Click Use name and password and enter your UNI as the User Name.
   • For Use secure connection: click SSL. You will see the Port number change to 465.
   • Click OK to exit the preferences.