Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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 3 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.
What's new in this version: Version 5.0 improves responsiveness and reduced startup time. It's based on the new Gecko 5 engine and also includes a new add-ons manager. Email setup is also improved with a revised account creation wizard, and plugins can now be loaded in RSS feeds by default. This version also includes over 390 fixes to improve speed, performance, security, and stability.
More Products to Consider
-
Add live Webcam effects to your videos and photos. -
Join live-video chat rooms from around the world. -
Chat with other people and participate in group discussions. -
Open, view, and extract data from TNEF-encoded messages. -
Talk with friends and family for free over the Internet. -
Add thousands of cool effects to webcam video for live video ch... -
Add dynamic effects to your video from HD Webcams. -
Add a virtual webcam with amazing video effects to your video c... -
Communicate instantly with your friends using avatars, PC-to-PC... -
Communicate within the company through LAN. -
Get notified to the email alerts and create custom notification... -
Add a virtual Webcam for video chats software such as Skype, MS... -
Update Eudora's mailbox table of content or mailbox files. -
Detect intruders with Webcams in your room and be alerted by e-... -
Connect your Nokia phone to PC to sync data, download software,... -
Exploit your webcams and microphones to detect and record movem... -
Chat with your friends from your desktop. -
Chat over the Internet with up to 120 users via your Web camera... -
Run multiple Skype accounts on the same computer. -
Send and receive faxes in a network environment. -
Capture, edit, print, and share photos and videos from your Web... -
Create faxes from scanner and manage your documents. -
Receive audio and visual notification when you get new e-mail. -
Archive and back up e-mail messages and attachments.
-
All versions:
3.8 starsout of 1,192 votes
-
Current version:
3.1 starsout of 23 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"simply outstanding..."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
user friendly, easy to setup multiple emails, and above all free :)
Cons
none that I can tell
Summary
I've been using it for at least 3 years now without any problem what so ever...highly recommend it
-
"Not the best but not the worst"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
It's not outlook and that makes me happy. Was able to add my accounts quickly and basically worked well.
Cons
A lot of things could be better in here. Seems like the UI could be put together much better.
Summary
A solid alternative to outlook.
-
"Slower than previous version"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
None other than previous
Cons
Lost features like google toolbar
-
"Disappointed beyond words"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
free program
Cons
The UI is nearly impossible to see and allows no user changes I can find.
aside from the visuals I find nothing of use that ver 3.X had.Summary
There is an old saying If it ain't broke, don't fix it. if tb 3.X was broke, 5 sure didn't fix anything I can find. It is quirky, almost impossible to read with 3 shades of Grey in the UI and toolbar without any explanation as to what they are, just there. Sure everyone sets their equipment different but if you the builder take control you BETTER BE RIGHT. For the first time in my 60+years, I can see what motivates users to run from a company. Releases before their time.
PS I tried to send zero stars but cnet won't let me -
"I am not able to configure"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
I like to use
Cons
I am not able connect with pop3 server
Summary
I used the pop3 as "pop.mail.apac.microsoftonline.com"
and my SMTP as "smtp.mail.apac.microsoftonline.com"
It is displaying an error message as configuration could not be verified - is user name and password wrong?
But i tried using outlook web access, I am able to login. Please help me. -
"Slow as He!!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
You can still download the 3.1.11 version.
Cons
Why does everyone think bigger is better? Better is - it does what I need it to using as few resources as possible. At this rate we will soon be calling it MS Thunderbird ...
Summary
Uninstall the 5.0 version and restore the old version here (better hurry, I'm sure this will be gone soon).
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/download?product=thunderbird-3.1.11&os=win&lang=en-US -
"Clunky at times"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
Easy to load and use.
Cons
Moving emials and address book to Thunderbird YUK!
Summary
Better then incredimail but still has pop ups that you can not turn off. Third party converters work fine but try finding the converted address book when you want to write an email. But all in all I won't change.
-
"Not that good... Buggy"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
I actually like the interface
Cons
Slow, sometimes doesn't start up, seems to not end it's task properly when ending it.
Summary
It could of been my computer and if you need an email client and don't have outlook I would probably use this. However in today's day and age your probably better off sticking to gmail or similar online service in my opinion. Having an installed email client on your computer would give you some advantage I would of thought. However, after using it for a week the advantages of an online service became far more evident. Move to the cloud haha.
The only benefit of an offline client is that they are usually required in office environments. Using a program like davmail you can use thunderbird with most exchange servers. That is about it's only use and if you want true compataility you will be switching to outlook pretty soon anyway. -
"no problem with update to 5.0"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
no problem with update to 5.0
Cons
no problem with update to 5.0
-
"Could be better."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 5.0
Pros
Add-ons, no problems with set-up.
Cons
I chek my GMail everyday, but whenever iI open my inbox it says the connection timed out. I don't have that problems with Outlook 2007.
Or maybe I just set it up wrong.Summary
Previous versions were better.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
