Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
Despite perceptions to the contrary, the desktop-based e-mail client is not dead. Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0 is a serious reaction to the prevalence of Web mail, so whether you're looking for a strong desktop client, an Outlook replacement, or a powerful tool for managing archives and Web mail offline, Thunderbird can scale to your needs.
Outlook users will notice the speed and responsiveness of the program, which loads quickly, even when weighed down by multiple folders and RSS feeds, and the basic feature set remains intact: good junk mail filters, HTML support, multiple identities, and robust Web mail, POP, IMAP, and Microsoft Exchange server support. Security features include S/MIME, digital signing, message encryption, and a built-in phishing detector. Add-ons, based on the same code as Firefox's add-on network, can enhance your security even further.
Joining such useful features as the back and forward e-mail browsing buttons and customizable tags in version 3.0 are a set of must-have features. The powerful search tool integrates results with desktop searches on Windows Vista and Windows 7, while tabs reinforce the connections between Web browsing and e-mail reading. In fact, the new search tool is so powerful that if you have a massive number of e-mails, you may want to set it to index them overnight lest it drain system resources from other programs. Gmail support especially has been revamped, so you now get an All Mail folder in Thunderbird, among other improvements. Mozilla's new Personas skins work in Thunderbird, while the Lightning add-on supplies the missing Microsoft Exchange-compatible calendar feature.
Flexible, powerful, and lightweight, Thunderbird 3 is an appropriate companion to Firefox in every way.
New search and tabs take flight in Thunderbird 3:Publisher's Description
From Mozilla:
Mozilla Thunderbird makes e-mailing safer, faster, and easier with such features as intelligent spam filters, a built-in RSS reader, and quick search. Thunderbird was designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail. Thunderbird includes tabbed e-mail, new search tools and indexing, smart folders, support for Firefox's Personas, a simplified setup wizard, and robust junk protections that include phishing and spam filters. Thunderbird has a junk mail tools have been updated to stay ahead of spam and features Phishing protection.
What's new in this version: Version 17.0.5 includes security fixes and adjusted font size when composing emails should be easier.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 1,185 votes
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Current version:
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"Could be great..."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.4
Pros
Ease of install. If you are starting from scratch, this is great!
Cons
Lousy documentation that is out of date. Tried to import old data from Outlook Express and the instructions are for the older version of Thunderbird. Menus are not in the same place, drop downs I am told to click on are not there. As a result, there is no way to install the convert plug-in for this. Posted my problem on the forums a week ago with no response.
Summary
I am not new at this as I sent my first email way back in 1985. But it is frustrating when you are told to "click here" and "here" does not exist...
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"Having a problem with tiny fonts displayed."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.3
Pros
Simple Menus.
Cons
Small font until I find the solution.
Summary
I like it.
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"Would be great if it weren't so buggy"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.3
Pros
Consolidates all my gmail accounts into one place
Cons
Buggy
Freezes during compose
Seems to affect other programs while it's openSummary
I like the idea of Thunderbird so much that I keep going back to it, hoping the bugs have shaken out. I have five separate email accounts I use for work, and it's nice to have them all in one place. However, the program is just too buggy to be useful. I spend a lot of time waiting for it to recover from freezing up while I compose, and other programs have problems while I have it open, too. You should try it out, though. The good may outweigh the bad for you.
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"No alternatives"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.3
Pros
Fast, excellent IMAP client.
Cons
Minor things.
Why is default index order chronological, not reverse ditto?
Search comes fixed as excerpts, I'd like it to come as a list.
In comparison, every client will have something you'd like differently.Summary
I am IT solution provider, with 400+ users.
I use Thunderbird+IMAP for my own mail. For Windows it is simply the best there is. Or rather, I have tried many, though the last year or so, Thunderbird has given me no reason to spend the time.
Unfortunately, almost all my served users use must use Outlook. Corp. decision. Is just on the edge of usable/unusable (for IMAP only - POP and Exchange is fine). Slow, unpredictable behavior, temporarily hangs.
So, those without Exchange is forced to run POP, with the well-known limitations this protocol have.
I have yet to see any real competitor to Thunderbird+IMAP on Windows. -
"Great feature set and stability"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0.2
Pros
Very very fast compared to Outlook 2013, supports chat and has the extensibility only a Mozilla product (or Google Chrome) can provide. The interface is no-nonsense and useful to the extreme.
Cons
No Exchange Support. Also, while scanning your Google account (dunno about other IMAP accounts), if it finds tens of thousands of emails, it'll take a long while to download all of them for offline viewing (as the default options are set to do). It'll also repeatedly download these mails. Hence, while setting up the account, it is advisable to click manual config > advanced config and set the number of mails to synchronize at around 1000 or so, or for the last 15 days.
Summary
The product is a must-have for people who need a desktop email client. Competitors are either immature (e.g. Postbox) or very bloated and slow (e.g. Microsoft Outlook). The IM integration alone sets it apart from the other clients I've tried, and while people do like a dedicated IM client like Pidgin or Digsby, I prefer having all my communication in one program, which remains light and extensible according to my preferences. Thunderbird delivers.
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"Its an excellent email client"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0
Pros
it is very fast and non-buggy
A must have for everyone
I wonder why CNET's editors have put it on 3rd Rank. It should be placed on firstCons
none at all
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"really like it"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0
Pros
Have used Thunderbird for a long time and have been very happy with no problems receiving or sent pic
Cons
I have a email that reads 12/31/1969 4:00 P.M.there is nothing there other then that date and time cant get rid of it
Summary
it is a good email server I wish use it until something better comes around
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"Does exactly what I want it to do."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 17.0
Pros
Stationery, downloadable so you mail stays on your computer and not in cyberspace.
Cons
Doesn't integrate with Norton products for email scanning or spam controls.
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"V17 has some kind of style problem"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 16.0.2
Pros
- I've been using it for years so I'm used to it.
- It's easy to set up accounts for all the services I use.Cons
Can't seem to use the same Windows style I'm using.
Summary
I just got a notice today of an upgrade to version 17. Went ahead and installed it, and now suddenly the interface looks different; apparently it is not using the Windows style I have set up and I can't find a way to change it either in the Menu or Options. This may be a bug, but trying to find a place on Mozilla's huge website to report it or even ask about it just takes too long so I went back to V16, and the style has returned. With these frequent and unpredictable updates (version *17*?) I really wish there was a decent alternative...
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"looks promising, fails miserably"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 16.0.2
Pros
looks fab
nice interface
mostly easy to useCons
lost the very first email someone else sent to me. Gone. Did some online research, and it's a known issue with massive work-arounds that are seriously not worth the risk or effort.
Simple stuff is made way too complicated (like formatting a signature - basic task that required googling and a work around again)Summary
If you like to dabble in free software, and don't mind risking losing some mail here and there, go for it.
If you actually need a reliable mail program, look elsewhere. Thunderbird has failed me on day one, first email! So disappointed as I'd come to really respect Mozilla. Other bugs could be overlooked, but losing mail just can't.
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