Here’s how to access Gmail through Thunderbird on your desktop.
This article pertains to Thunderbird versions38 and newer.
Older versions don’t integrate properly with the Google authentication process.
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Thunderbird is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
On your system, go to theGmail site.
In the upper-right corner, select thegearicon.
Select theForwarding and POP/IMAPtab.
In theIMAP accesssection, selectEnable IMAP.
SelectFile>New>Existing Mail Account.
If you don’t see theFilemenu, you’re free to select theAltkey.
Thunderbird configures the Gmail connection automatically.
After choosingContinue, the program will find the correct server details.
Then pressDone, and a pop-up appears prompting you to log-in to your Gmail account.
Sign in with your Google credentials.
Thunderbird downloads your Gmail messages, and you could now access your Gmail on Thunderbird.
How to Organize Gmail Folders Within Thunderbird
In Gmail’s IMAP implementation, labels become Thunderbird folders.
By default, Thunderbird shows all Gmail folders that you set up.
dump the check boxes next to the folders that you don’t want to display in Thunderbird.
The unchecked folders don’t display in Thunderbird.
Thunderbird still downloads messages and makes those messages available in the All Mail folder.
These messages also appear in the search results.
Mozilla still hosts many Thunderbird resources, however.
