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Problems with Thundrbird email

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by goathill1

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A few weeks ago I downloaded Thunderbird as my new email and everything was working fine. But, I neglected to switch my contacts over. Since then, I needed to check an email address in my contacts so I opened up Windows Live to do that. It asked if I wanted that to be my default, and I said no. Now, emails come into my Live account, but not into my Thunderbird account. I can send from Thunderbird but cannot receive. What do I do? Thanks so much. Sue

[Personal information removed by moderator. Please read Mozilla Support rules and guidelines, thanks.]

A few weeks ago I downloaded Thunderbird as my new email and everything was working fine. But, I neglected to switch my contacts over. Since then, I needed to check an email address in my contacts so I opened up Windows Live to do that. It asked if I wanted that to be my default, and I said no. Now, emails come into my Live account, but not into my Thunderbird account. I can send from Thunderbird but cannot receive. What do I do? Thanks so much. Sue ''[Personal information removed by moderator. Please read [[Forum rules and guidelines]], thanks.]''

Modified by Chris Ilias

All Replies (7)

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If the account is setup as POP in WLM, with messages deleted from the server after download, then they won't be available for download with any other mail app. You could set WLM to Work offline if that is the case.

WLM contacts in WLM can be exported to a csv file or multiple vCards and imported to TB. vCards (.vcf files) can be merged into a single file and then imported.

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When I open Windows Live there is a red X on the work offline icon. If I select that, nothing changes. Is there another way to do that?

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Did you try the method described in the first link in my reply? You could also just turn on Airplane mode in the W10 Notification Center.

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When I open Windows Live there is a red X on the work offline icon. If I select that, nothing changes. Is there another way to do that?

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When I turn on airplane mode, I have no internet at all. Thank you for trying to help. I think I can handle the contacts problem, but am still confused about not receiving my email. But, I need to retire for the night. I appreciate your trying!

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re : but am still confused about not receiving my email.

As sfhowes stated, you have probably set up a pop mail account in WLM. It is downloading the emails to WLM and deleting the copy on the server. This means when Thunderbird connects to the server there are no emails to download. So Thunderbird cannot receive something that does not exist.

You would need to change the setting in WLM pop account to leave message on server. Right click on account and select properties. In the account Properties window, select the Advanced tab. select checkbox 'Leave a copy of message on server' click on OK.

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I tried this and the box for "leave a copy . . ." was already checked. Now I can't even open Thunderbird at all, but Windows Live seems to be working fine. I am tempted to choose Windows Live as my default, again, and then dump Thunderbird off my computer. I wanted to switch because I know Live is no longer supported. I could try downloading Thunderbird again. What do you think? Thanks so much for your help! Sue