Configure Modern Authentication on Thunderbird - Ping

Please note that you need to be running Thunderbird version 77.0b1 or later which supports OAuth2 modern authentication. Note that at the present time, these settings will only allow the mailbox to receive mail. If the user wishes for Thunderbird to be able to send mail, while utilizing the multi-factor authentication of PingID, a change may be implemented to the mailbox by OU IT. The user will need to submit a request and state they wish to have authenticated SMTP mail enabled for their OU mailbox for Thunderbird usage.

Configure Thunderbird for Office 365

1. To begin, launch Thunderbird. If you have other accounts configured, click on Local Folders on the left hand side. Select Email under the Setup Another Account section in the main window.
2. On the Mail Account Setup window, enter the following:
   • Your name: Enter your name
   • Email Address: Enter your OU/OUHSC email address
   • Important: Do not enter in your password on this login screen. Only enter your OU/OUHSC email address and name.
3. Now click Continue.
4. Thunderbird should now automatically discover and enter the needed server settings.
5. If Thunderbird does not, click the "Configure manually..." button.
   1. For Incoming server: outlook.office365.com
   2. For Outgoing server: smtp.office365.com
   3. Outgoing Port: 587 (default)
6. Click Done to confirm.
7. If prompted to enter your password, click Cancel.
8. Click on your Mailbox name in the upper left corner.
9. Navigate to Account Settings > Server Settings > Security Settings > Authentication Method and select OAuth2 from the Authentication Method drop down.
10. Click on Outgoing Server in the left pane.
11. Select the OU/OUHSC mail server and click Edit.
12. Change the Authentication method to OAuth2 and enter the following:
    1. Description: OU Mail
    2. Server name: smtp.office365.com
    3. Port: 587 (default)
    4. Connection Security: STARTTLS
    5. Authentication Method: OAuth2
    6. User Name: Your OU/OUHSC Email address
13. Now click OK.
14. When you open your Inbox, you should now be redirected to authenticate through Ping.
15. After authenticating, your mailbox will now load all your mail. Please note this step may take awhile on first configuration.

Additional Configurations

Because Thunderbird has its own configuration methods for mail, you may wish to adjust its options to more closely match how it handles mail if you check your mail online or through another client.

1. Right-click on your OU/OUHSC account and select "Subscribe..." from the drop down menu.
2. Place a check-mark within the box for the Drafts, Deleted Items, and Sent Items folders.
3. Click the Subscribe button.
4. Click the OK button.
5. Right click on your account and select "Settings..." from the drop down menu.
6. Under your account, select "Server Settings".
7. Select "Move it to this folder:" and set it to the "Deleted Items" folder.
8. Under your account, select "Copies & Folders".
9. Within 'When sending messages, automatically" option, make sure "Place a copy in:" is checked, select "Other" and select the "Sent Items" folder within your account.
10. Make sure "Drafts" folder is selected within your account under 'Drafts and Templates'.
11. Click the OK button.
12. Restart Thunderbird

Disable the adaptive junk mail controls

1. Right click on your account in the left-hand pane.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Click the Junk Settings option.
4. Uncheck the box for "Enable adaptive junk mail controls for this account".
5. Click OK.