Setting up Mozilla Mail

In order to launch Mozilla Mail, click on the "mail envelope" icon in the lower left-hand corner of your browser window.  

Mozilla toolbar  If this icon isn't present, Mozilla mail is not installed and you will need to download and install it.

If you have not yet set up a mail account, Mozilla's Account Wizard will start automatically.

Step 1 - New Account Setup
In the first screen, you can select if you want to create a new Email or Newsgroup account. Leave "Email Account" checked and click on "Next" to begin setting up your Email account in Mozilla Mail.

Step 2 - Identity
You need to enter the following in this screen:

- Your Name: You can either enter your real name (e.g. "John Doe") or an alias (e.g. "Johnnyboy"). What you enter here will appear as the sender when you send someone mail.

- Email Address: Enter your full Email Address (without the parentheses!) here (e.g. "JohnDoe@yahoo.com"). I have chosen a "Yahoo Mail" account as an example.

Click on "Next" to continue, once you have entered the required information.

Step 3 - Server Information
This screen is for entering the server information. Please check with your email provider/ISP which settings apply to your account. You can enter/select between the following:

  • Select the type of incoming server you are using:

    - POP3: This is the server type most commonly used.
    - IMAP: Some providers offer IMAP access, usually at a premium.

     

  • Enter the name of your incoming server:

    - The incoming server is the server you recieve your mail from. In the case of "Yahoo Mail", the name is "pop.mail.yahoo.com"

     

  • Enter the name of your outgoing server:

    - The outgoing server is the one you use to send your messages. Please note that incoming and outgoing server usually have different addresses! In the case of "Yahoo Mail", the name is "smtp.mail.yahoo.com"

Step 4 - User Name
This screen is for entering your user name. Please check with your Email provider/ISP what it is.
As a rule of thumb, it usually is the part of your Email address before the "@something.com". In the case of our "JohnDoe@yahoo.com" the user name would be "JohnDoe". Make sure you enter your user name correctly as you otherwise won't be able to access your email account with Mozilla mail.

Note: The user name for some Email providers/ISPs does contain the "@" symbol. In the default configuration, Mozilla will not accept the "@" symbol as part of your username. This can, however, be changed by adding an entry to the "user.js" or "prefs.js" file. Add the following line:
user_pref("mail.allow_at_sign_in_user_name", true);

Important: Make sure to read the instructions for modifying the "prefs.js" or adding the "user.js" file (the latter alternative is the safer one) in the "Using Mozilla" FAQ's troubleshooting guide before applying any changes to these files!

Step 5 - Account Name
This screen is for entering your account name. The account name will only show in Mozilla Mail, so you are free to chose any name you prefer (e.g. your mail account name, "Work",...). Chosing easily distinguishable account names is only important when you have more than one Email account.

Step 6 - Verify Settings
Verify that all your settings are correct. If they are, you are almost done. If they aren't, click on "Back" to make the necessary corrections
If you do not wish to immediately download your messages, uncheck the option "Download messages now".
One you have verified your settings, click on "Finish" to start using Mozilla Mail.

Step 7 - Start using Mozilla Mail
Congratulations! You can now start using Mozilla Mail.

If you want to make Mozilla Mail your default mail application, select "Yes", otherwise "No". This setting is system-wide, i.e. it will influence all other web browsers. Please note that Mozilla will use Mozilla Mail as its default mail application regardless of this setting (please see the "Using Mozilla" FAQ for instructions on how to change that).

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