Thunderbird or not?

I've just bought a laptop with Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium pre-installed.

I've loved Outlook Express for many years but unfortunately it can't be used with Windows 7 Home Premium, therefore I'm considering an alternative email client. I don't like web-based ones like Windows Live but am attracted to Thunderbird because of it's similiarity to Outlook Express.

Could anyone with experience of Thunderbird please give me their opinion on it? Thank you.

 

Can't comment on thunderbird other than the few times I've tried it I just didn't like it.

Regarding Windows Live Mail though, you can use POP3, SMTP & IMAP with it so I'm not entirely sure what you mean by Web Based.

 

Windows Live Mail is a client which you access via the internet like Hotmail, while Thunderbird is a standalone client installed on your computer.

I know that you can use POP3, SMTP & IMAP on Windows Live Mail but I've tried it before and just didn't like it. Outlook Express was perfect for me and, like so many other users, don't understand why Microsoft didn't develop it so as to be compatible with Windows 7.

 

I use Thunderbird on one computer and Windows Live on another - both as POP3 on different mail servers - with no problems. I also used Outlook Express extensively in the past. I don't see a lot of difference in them. Mozilla makes a backup utility called MozBak that lets you easily run backups of Thunderbird and Firefox which is handy.

 

Windows Live mail can be used as a pop mail account so I'm not sure what you're talking about. I also do not like Thunderbird and would advise you to download Windows Live here:

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-mail?os=other

 

FWIW I've been using Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird for 7 years now on 5 PC's and 1 laptop. I have experienced only one hiccup in that time which was due to an update - sorted out within 24 hours and all work OK. Cheers Neil.

 

I have used Thunderbird, as my default mail, for years. I have not had any issues with it, until it went to version 3, which is the only one being kept up to date. I have six to eight accounts set up in Thunderbird, and I have had a number of issues. I want to clarify that issues are not problems, just dislikes. Among the issues, the difficulty of creating new accounts. With my ISP, Thunderbird 3.1.x "guesses" the server, being wrong 99% of the times. So, I have to see what is in the Accounts properties, and, usually, do manual set ups. The second issue is that I can't do a thing with Thunderbird 3.x, until all mail is downloaded, and with several accounts it may take a while. After that everything is fine.
I am still using Outlook Express, at times, because many ISPs are Microsoft-centric, so if there is a problem, I have to prove that there is something wrong with Outlook Express.
Since it is a rare situation, I have not bothered with Live Mail.
And, I don't have Win 7, anyway.

 

Windows Live Mail isn't web based. It's an email client just like OE or Thunderbird. I've been using it for a long time. My guess is, if you used it, you'd find it much the same as OE.

 

Using Thunderbird for last 3 years & no problems till date.

Lugwalker, I would advise you to try out different mail clients yourself & then decide. Asking us is not going to be of much help as all of us have strong likes & dislikes.

 

Read about OE and Live Mail.
In any event, I am not willing to leave Mozilla, even if I dislike the latest version of TB. I could go back to v.2.0.0.24, or use the Seamonkey 2.x suite.

 

Well, there's something that's not quite right about that article Westside. Not sure what the deal is but it states that it's free but ad supported. There are no ads in the Windows Live Mail client. At least not in mine.

My guess is it's because the article is about an older version. The page is dated Feb. 2007 and it states in the article that it's still in beta, which isn't the case anymore. Hasn't been for a long time. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it.

 

I was giving a general references, mostly because the article dealt with the new (Windows Live Mail) replacing the old (Outlook Express). In my previous post, I cocluded by saying:

But, I decided to try Windows Live Mail. First, I was told that Windows Live Mail was already installed, although I don't recall seeing it, not any shortcut to it. I went on with the installation, which installed everything, including the kitchen sink. I was not aware that I could select only the Mail part. So, I tried it, and I saw it with three accounts, two of which were unused since 2003, and had nothing but Spam, and one good account, which is not the one in Outlook Express. I tried to import the settings, but nothing happened. Finally, I created that account, and then tried to import stuff from OE, I have no clue where the stuff is. When I first opened Windows Live Mail, I got a message saying: "Sorry, something unexpected happened and Windows Live Mail must close,etc ". I close it, and it started with the same message. I tried to repair the installation, to no avail. After ignoring the message, I found out that there was nothing when I double clicked on the header. Finally, after wasting a good hour, I uninstalled WLM. I may not like Thunderbird, but, at least, it works, as Outlook Express does.

 

Just my 2 cents worth: I use TB on two computers, desktop with WinXP and laptop with Win7. Have used on XP system for several years, no issues, periodic updates with no problems to date. Also have Outlook 2002 and OE on same computer, but rarely if ever use them. TB accesses ISP mail server with IMAP.

On laptop with Win7, just got it and intalled TB, set it up in minutes with IMAP access, no issues whatsoever. Also have Windows Live Mail on the Win7 system and access e-mail with IMAP as well. No issues so far and no conflicts with TB.

TB may take a little getting use to if you have used OE & Outlook before but once you figure out the quirks and quarks of it you should feel quite comfortable using it. Only one thing I really don't like is that you cannot highlight a portion of an e-mail and "print selection" when the e-mail is in the Inbox or Sent Box. You have to go to "Edit message as new" in the Message menu then select and print. Just a minor thing, but bugs me.