1 Open Thunderbird
Start the application. If this is your first time running Thunderbird, you will be prompted to set up an account. If you are adding an additional account, go to "File" -> "New" -> "Existing Mail Account".
If you cannot see the File menu, press the F10 key on your keyboard when you open Thunderbird and it will appear.
2 Set up your email account
Enter your name (as you want it to appear to others when you send email), your full email address, and your email password, then click Next.
3 Configure server settings
Thunderbird will try to automatically configure your server settings. However, since this is a self-hosted email, you will likely need to input these manually:
3.1 Incoming server (IMAP or POP3)
This will be something like "mail.yourdomain.com". Select either IMAP or POP3, depending on your preference and what your hosting provider supports. Enter the server name and port. Typically, IMAP uses port 143 or 993 (if SSL is enabled), and POP3 uses port 110 or 995 (if SSL is enabled).
For security and privacy reasons, make sure you use port 993
3.2 Outgoing server (SMTP)
This is also typically something like "mail.yourdomain.com". Enter the server name and port. SMTP typically uses port 25, 587, or 465 (if SSL is enabled).
For security and privacy reasons, make sure you use port 465(SSL) or 587 (STARTLS)
3.3 SSL Settings
Choose SSL/TLS or STARTTLS based on your hosting provider's recommendation.
3.4 Authentication Settings
Typically, this will be "Normal password" or "Encrypted password" depending on your server's setup.
4 Test and save settings
Click on "Re-test Configuration". Thunderbird will try to connect to the server using the information provided. If everything is successful, the "Done" button will become clickable. Click it to finish the setup. If there is an issue, verify your settings and try again.
If you are unsure about any of these settings, please consult your hosting provider's help documentation or support team for the correct values. Note that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your version of Thunderbird and your specific server setup.
Also make sure that your hosting provider allows you to connect from third-party email clients, as some providers may block them for security reasons. You may need to enable this from your hosting dashboard.
Important:
Email can be a source of security vulnerabilities. Make sure you use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.