VU University Amsterdam University Centre IT User Manual VU-Mail Thunderbird (IMAP) February 10
This document describes how to configure the e-mail application Thunderbird on Windows XP for the Exchange mail server using IMAP. Note that you will only be able to synchronise your e-mail. Your exchange calendar and address book will not be synched. 1. Overview Settings Receiving Server Description: VU-IMAP Server Type: IMAP Mail Server Server Name: imap.vu.nl Port: 993 Security Settings: SSL Email Address: f.h.lastname@student.vu.nl or <VU-net-id>@vu.nl User Name: <VU-net-id> Password: <VU-net-id Password> Outgoing Server Description: VU-SMTP Server Name: mails.vu.nl Security: TLS Port: 587 User Name: <VU-net-id> Password: <VU-net-id Password> 2. Requirements The following requirements should be met to configure Thunderbird and connect to the exchange mail server via IMAP. A computer with Thunderbird installed. (This manual will describe a Thunderbird installation on Windows XP, however any installation of Thunderbird on a supported platform should work) An active internet connection with access to TCP ports 993 and 587 Your VU-net-id. University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 2
3. Configure Thunderbird 3.1. Clean install setup wizard. Install and/or open the Thunderbird application. A configuration wizard will start and ask you to import settings. If you don t get the wizard go to Tools and select Account settings... and add an account. In this manual you are setting up a new installation so you are not importing anything from previous installations. Click Next Enter the following information: Your Name: <Firstname Lastname> Email Address: <VU-net-id>@student.vu.nl Password: <password> Mark: Remember password Click Continue Thunderbird will try to automagically connect to the VU servers. Unfortunately, this will not work for outgoing mail. Click Manual Setup University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 3
In the column on the left, select Server Settings Most settings should bet set correctly: Server Type: IMAP Mail Server Server Name: imap.vu.nl Port: 993 User Name: <VU-net-id> Security Settings: SSL/TLS Do not mark: Use secure authentication Server Settings Check: Check for new messages at startup Mark: Check for new messages every 10 minutes When I delete a message move it to the Deleted Folder. Mark: Clean up (Expunge) inbox on Exit. Mark: Empty Deleted folder on Exit. In the column on the left, select Outgoing Server (SMTP) Select the SMTP server of the VU and click Edit or if there is none click Add University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 4
Enter the following information: Description: vu-smtp Server Name: mails.vu.nl Port*: 587 Mark: Use name and password User Name: <VU-net-id> Mark: Use secure connection Connection security: None Click OK Click OK *Note: Make sure you change the port number to 587 When sending an e-mail for the first time, you will have to enter you password. Mark: Use Password Manager to remember this password. Click OK 3.2. Configure Mail settings You may need to wait a bit before Thunderbird has downloaded all of your e-mail. You may also need to quit and re-start the mail application before you can see all of your mailboxes or subscribe them. After a restart of Thunderbird go to File and select Subscribe... University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 5
Mark the following mailboxes: You may see extra mailboxes with the names Sent and Junk, mark those too. Deleted Items Drafts Inbox Junk E-Mail Outbox Sent Items Trash (Student-INBOX) (All of your own mailboxes) Click OK Warning: Do not delete any of the following mailboxes, if you do not wish to see them please unsubscribe them. Exchange needs these to function: - Calendar - Contacts - Deleted Items - Drafts - INBOX - Junk E-Mail - Journal - Logboek - Notes - Outbox - RSS Subscriptions - Sent Items - Suggested Contacts - Sync Issues - Tasks University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 6
Go to Tools and select Account Settings Select Copies & Folders from the list Select the following mailboxes of your VU- Mail account. Sending Messages Mark: Place a copy in: Mark: Other Select from your vu account: Sent Items Drafts Mark: Drafts Folder on: <vu-account> Archives Mark: Archives Folder on: <vuaccount> Templates Mark: Templates Folder on: <vuaccount> You can now delete the folder with the name Sent from the mailbox list if you had one, you will use the folder with the name Sent Items from now on. Select Junk Settings from the list and enter the following information: Mark: Enable adaptive junk mail controls for this account. Under Do not mark mail as junk if the sender is in:, mark: Personal Address Book Mark: Move new junk messages to: Mark: Other Select from your vu account: Junk E-Mail You can now mark the Enable adaptive junk mail controls for this account option off if you do not wish to use the junk filter of thunderbird. You can now delete the folder with the name Junk from the mailbox list if you had one, you will use the folder with the name Junk E- mail from now on. University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 7
The name that Exchange gives to the Trash folder is Deleted Items. By default, Thunderbird creates a new folder called Trash. In order for Thunderbird to use the correct folder, for deleted mail, do the following: Subscribe to the Deleted Items folder Go to tools>options>advanced>general Click Config Editor... Click I ll be careful, I promise! Behind Filter enter: mail.server.server Write down the number behind: mail.server.server(thenumber).name with the value <VU-net-id>@vu.nl Right click anywhere in the list and select New: String Enter the preference name: mail.server.server(thenumber).trash_folder _name Enter the string value: Deleted Items Restart Thunderbird The Deleted Items folder should now have the little trash bin icon. Delete the Trash folder (after moving its contents). You may have to restart Thunderbird a few times before you can do this. You re done. University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 8
4. Assistance UC-IT Service desk If you did not manage to get your e-mail working, please contact the UC-IT Service desk. Located at the general service desk in the main building 0A.11 E-mail address: ucit-servicedesk@vu.nl Phone: 020 59 80000 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm University Centre IT VU University Amsterdam 9