Configuring Mozilla Thunderbird

Overview

This guide will help you to set up a new account in Mozilla Thunderbird and instruct you on how to change settings on your existing account.

Table of Content

If you have never used Thunderbird with your USF email address, please contact the USF IT Service Desk for approval from the Email team to use this application.

To set up a new account

These instructions assume you are running a version of Thunderbird 77.0b1 or later which supports OAuth2 modern authentication.

  1. The Mail Account Setup dialog box should open the first time you open Thunderbird.
    1. If it does not open:
      1. Locate the Menu button in the top right corner.
      2. Click Menu > Account Settings...
      3. On the Account Settings page, under Account Actions, click Add Mail Account.

  2. In the Mail Account Setup dialog box, enter the following information:
    1. Your Name: enter the name you want on the "From" line in your outgoing messages
    2. Email Address: enter your @usf.edu email address
    3. Password: enter your @usf.edu email password
    4. Make sure the Remember password box is checked



  3. Click Configure Manually

  4. Enter the following information:
    1. Incoming server hostname: outlook.office365.com
    2. Outgoing server hostname: smtp.office365.com
    3. Username: enter your @usf.edu email address
    4. Change the Incoming Port field to 993 and the Outgoing Port field to 587.
    5. Change the Incoming SSL field to SSL/TLS and Outgoing SSL field STARTTLS.
    6. Authentication: Select Oauth2.0 for both Incoming and Outgoing



  5. Click done. You should now be prompted in a new Microsoft style sign-in window for your login and MFA.

    If it is greyed out, click “re-test” first and confirm that all of the info is still correct.

To change the settings on an existing account

These instructions assume you are running a version of Thunderbird 77.0b1 or later which supports OAuth2 modern authentication.
  1. Open Thunderbird.

  2. Locate the Menu button in the top right corner.

  3. Click Menu > Account Settings...

  4. Click Server Settings under your @usf.edu email.

  5. Enter the following information:
         a. Server Nameoutlook.office365.com
         b. Port: 993
         c. User Name: your @usf.edu email address
         d. Select SSL/TLS from the Connection security dropdown menu
         e. Select OAuth2 from the Authentication method dropdown menu

  6. Open the Outgoing Server (SMTP) menu. Open the server for your @usf.edu email.

  7. Click Edit...

  8. Enter the following settings:
         a. Server Name: smtp.office365.com
         b. Port: 587
         c. Select STARTTLS from the Connection security dropdown menu
         d. Select OAuth2 from the Authentication method dropdown menu
         e. User Name: your @usf.edu email address

  9. Click OK.

  10. Click the Get Messages button.

  11. Enter your @usf.edu email password when prompted. Check the box to Use Password Manager to remember this password and click OK.

Back to top


If you are unable to solve your issue with this knowledge base article, please contact the USF IT Service Desk by using Chat at itchat.usf.edu, calling (813) 974-HELP (4357) or emailing help@usf.edu. 

If you find any errors or omissions in any knowledge base article, please contact and inform the USF IT Service Desk by calling (813) 974-HELP (4357) or emailing help@usf.edu.