How to Sync Outlook Online to Mozilla Thunderbird

Set up your Outlook Online email in Mozilla Thunderbird

What to Know

  • In Outlook.com, go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Sync email > POP and IMAP to enable.
  • Create a new Thunderbird account. Under Configuration found in Mozilla ISP database, choose POP3 or IMAP.
  • Select Manual config and enter the incoming/outgoing server hostname, ports, and security protocols.

This article explains how to download messages from Outlook Online to Mozilla Thunderbird as if it was a regular email account using POP3 or IMAP.

Access Free Outlook Online in Mozilla Thunderbird Using POP: Inbox Only

Using POP3, you can only sync your Inbox folders. No subfolders will be included in Thunderbird.

To add Outlook Online to Mozilla Thunderbird, you'll first need to enable POP options in Outlook.com.

  1. In Outlook.com website, select Settings (cogwheel).

    Selecting the Settings option in Outlook.com.
  2. Scroll down and select View all Outlook settings.

    Selecting to view all Outlook settings in Outlook.com.
  3. Go to Mail > Sync email > POP and IMAP.

    Viewing Sync email settings in Outlook.com.
  4. Under Pop options > Let devices and apps use POP, select Yes, then select Save.

    Selecting to allow devices to use POP with Outlook.com.
  5. In Thunderbird, under Accounts > Set up an account, select Email.

    Selecting to setup a new email address in Mozilla Thunderbird.
  6. Enter Your name, Email address, and Password and select Continue.

    Entering in email details for a new account setup in Thunderbird.
  7. Under Configuration found in Mozilla ISP database, select POP3 (keep mail on your computer). (Optionally, you can check the box labeled Remember password.)

    Choosing POP3 options for email in Thunderbird.
  8. Select Manual config.

    Selecting the manual config button in a new POP3 account in Thunderbird.
  9. In Incoming, under Server hostname enter outlook.office365.com.

  10. Change the Port to 995.

  11. Change SSL to SSL/TLS.

  12. Under Outgoing, in Server hostname, enter smtp.office365.com.

  13. Change the Port to 587 and SSL is set to STARTTLS.

  14. Make sure your email address is correct in Username on both Incoming and Outgoing.

  15. Your settings should look like the screen below:

    Complete settings for POP3 in thunderbird.
  16. Select Done.

    A POP3 account inbox successfully setup in Thunderbird.

Access Free Outlook Online in Mozilla Thunderbird Using IMAP

To access both your emails and other folders in your Inbox, you'll need to used IMAP in Thunderbird. To set up IMAP, do the following:

  1. In Thunderbird, under Accounts > Set up an account, select Email.

    Selecting to setup a new email address in Mozilla Thunderbird.
  2. Enter Your name, Email address, and Password and select Continue.

    Entering in email details for a new account setup in Thunderbird.
  3. Under Configuration found in Mozilla ISP database, select IMAP (remote folders). (Optionally, you can check the box labeled Remember password.)

    Setting up an IMAP account in Thunderbird.
  4. Select Manual config.

    Selecting the manual config button to setup details of an IMAP account in Thunderbird.
  5. In Incoming, under Server hostname enter outlook.office365.com.

  6. Change the Port to 993.

  7. Change SSL to SSL/TLS.

  8. Under Outgoing, in Server hostname, enter smtp.office365.com.

  9. Change the Port to 587 and SSL is set to STARTTLS.

  10. Make sure your email address is correct in Username on both Incoming and Outgoing.

  11. Your settings should look like the screen below:

    Detailed IMAP settings for Thunderbird.
  12. Select Done.

    A successfully setup IMAP email account in Thunderbird.
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