Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to set up an Exchange server

  • 4 replies
  • 41 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Tully

more options

I wish to add a new email account to Thunderbird. The only server options are IMAP and POP but my hosting company tells me that I need to choose "Exchange server". No such option with Thunderbird. Does that mean that I cannot use Thunderbird for this email?

I wish to add a new email account to Thunderbird. The only server options are IMAP and POP but my hosting company tells me that I need to choose "Exchange server". No such option with Thunderbird. Does that mean that I cannot use Thunderbird for this email?

All Replies (4)

more options

Exchange server uses three "get mail" protocols. IMAP, POP and EAS.

The product ships from Microsoft with IMAP and POP both turned off as well smtp for sending mail, simply because Microsoft want you to buy Outlook which interact with exchange over EAS.

It is a trivial setting in exchange server to enable IMAP, POP and SMTP. Unfortunately most places Exchange is installed do not have a technician experienced in any technologies other than "Microsoft" so they are reluctant to use non standard Microsoft settings.

Alternatively you can buy the Exquilla add-on for Thunderbird https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/exquilla-exchange-web-services/ but your already paying extra for exchange from your provider.(Hosting packages with exchange as almost universally more expensive that those that offer collaboration services)

more options

Thanks for the answers. Sounds complicated and I can't get the hosting company to change their ways so I decided to switch to Outlook.

more options

jeanpierredemontigny, you should change your hosting company. At the moment you are paying them to make you pay for Microsoft Outlook.

Would you pay money to a new postal service to install an additional letterbox on your front door that only they could use? That is an analogous situation.

more options

And no, it shouldn't be complicated. If your email provider did what they are supposed to do and provide standard email interfaces, then basically all you should have to do in Thunderbird is type in your email address and password.