You can't change an existing account in an email client from one type to the other. The way to do this is to just install the same account again but using the alternative protocol.

Move anything you want to keep into Local Folders. Then delete the gmail account from Thunderbird and install it again.

I have to say my last attempt to install a gmail account using POP in Thunderbird failed. You probably need to set it for "less secure applications" (in gmail's website). IMAP and SMTP are much easier, using OAuth2, which is not offered for POP.

Thank you for your very helpful reply, I appreciate your assistance. I must also apologise but am relatively computer illiterate and would be grateful if you can explain how I "Move anything you want to keep into Local Folders," I assume so not to loose that information, so I can then uninstall then reinstall Thunderbird. Thank you

re :Then delete the gmail account from Thunderbird and install it again.

No there is no need to unstall the Thunderbird program as there is nothing wrong with it. This is refering to the gmail mail account which has been messed up.

In Thunderbird, there is a default mail account called 'Local Folders'. It contains your 'Outbox' folder which is used by all mail accounts if you ever use 'Send Later' instead of 'Send'.

You can create additional folders in this account. Then copy emails from the gmail mail account and put them into 'Local Folders' mail account folders. These emails are stored in your profile folder on your computer and will be visible under 'Local folders' mail account. It will keep them safe because you need to remove that gmail account and then create a new one using correct server settings for the server type. Once emails have been copied into 'Local Folders' mail account, remove the gmail mail account which got messed up.

Right click on gmail mail account in Folder pane and select 'Settings' 'Account Settings' window opens make sure gmail mail account name is selected. click on 'Account Actions' select 'REmove account' clickon OK

Now you need to add the gmail account again. If you want to use POP then first make sure the gmail webmail account which you access using a browser, has 'less secure apps' selected.

If you use IMAP then after creating the account you may be prompted to logon to gmail via a browser, just so gmail can confirm it is you, then gmail will add an OAuth2 password into Thunderbird which Thunderbird will then used instead of your Password.

Good help links: Thunderbird and gmail https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-gmail

Suggest you get familiar with imap info as Imap works very differently from pop. Imap synchronisation: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/imap-synchronization

Thank you so much for all the information. I have created the folders in "Outbox" and removed the gmail mail account as advised. I have followed the instructions to add the gmail account and confirm that 'less secure apps' is selected. However I now get an advice "Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account". If I then click on "get a new account", Thunderbird advised "Sorry we were unable to communicate with our sign- up server. Please check your connection". I do appreciate your help so much and hopefully you can now tell me where to go from here. Thank you.

re :I have created the folders in "Outbox" I hope you mean 'Local Folders' mail account. 'Outbox' folder should not contain any folders.

re :If I then click on "get a new account", Why would you click on 'Get a new account'? You do not want a new mail account A new account means getting a new email address which you may need to pay for. In partnership with several providers eg: Gandi.net, Thunderbird can offer a new email address. However, this would be a contract between you and the 'provider' eg: Gandi.net and you may be charged for this 'personalised' new email address with that company.

re :I have followed the instructions to add the gmail account.....However I now get an advice "Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account". If I then click on "get a new account", Thunderbird advised "Sorry we were unable to communicate with our sign- up server. Please check your connection".

As trying to create a mail account failed to find gmail server settings and then 'get a new account' also returned a failure saying 'check your connection', this sounds as if something else is occuring.

It is possible that your computer 'Firewall' is blocking Thunderbirds access to the internet. Please check your Firewall, which may be part of your Anti-virus product. Access the Firewall and make sure 'Mozilla Thunderbird' is an allowed program or in some cases, the outgoing and incoming ports which you want to use are allowed.

You have been so helpful, I really appreciate it. Yes files are saved in the Local Folder, so this should be OK. I have looked at the Fire Wall settings and yes, Motzilla Thunderbird is allowed. Do you have any further suggestions as to where I go from here. I am still advised that Thunderbird cannot recognise our gmail address and is unable to communicate with our sign- up server. Please check your connection". Thank you again.

That almost always comes back to an anti virus product. Assuming you can access web pages on a browser on the same machine.

Disable email scanning in your anti virus. What do you use?

Thank you for your help also. I have now only Windows Defender as I recently deleted MCAFEE from the computer.

With only Defender, Thunderbird still will not recognise my gmail account and the same advices appear on the screen..

Thank you

Please confirm that you are using 'online' mode. In bottom left corner of Status bar, do you see a 'teo blue screen icon' or a two black screen icon' ? If you see the latter (black), click on that icon to return to 'blue' which in online mode.

re :I have looked at the Fire Wall settings and yes, Mozilla Thunderbird is allowed.

When you attempt to create the mail account and you get the error message , did you click on 'Manual Config' button ? If no, please click on 'Manual Config' button If yes, post image of that window.

Thank you once again. I am on line, there is a teo blue icon. Below is a copy of the manual config screen. Obviously I have "x ed" my personal details. Does this help?

I JUST REALISED THE LINK I ATTACHED GOES STRAIGHT TO MY GMAIL ACCOUNT SO I WILL NEED RESEND A SCREEN PRINT

My son managed to alter the server type to IMAP and all incoming and outgoing settings are set accordingly. The authentication method as set is OAuth2 and connection security is SSL/TLS As always I do appreciate all your help and persistance.

I had a problem printing the screen so I have typed below a copy of the lower portion of “Mail Account Setup” when I press manual configoration. I hope this is OK.

Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account.

                            Server Hostname           Port             SSL       Authentication

Incoming IMAP .gmail.com Auto Autodetect Autodetect

outgoing SMTP .gmail.com Auto Autodetect Autodetect

User incoming My email a/c name Outgoing my email a/c name

Again thank you.

That message is saying Thunderbird can not access this site. https://autoconfig.thunderbird.net/v1.1/gmail.com

This mean you have a firewall problem. Most likely associated with your anti virus program denying Thunderbird access to the internet.

I have checked my Windows Defender Firewall Allowed Applications and Thunderbird is allowed as follows...

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe

I assume this is the correct path for the firewall  ?

Thank you

Assuming you have not made a typo error; according to info you have posted, your settings are wrong. Server name seems to just say dot gmail dot com.

Incoming IMAP this bit.gmail.com should say : imap.gmail.com

outgoing SMTP this bit.gmail.com should say : smtp.gmail.com

Please make sure: User incoming and outgoing = My email a/c name = full gmail email address.

How to create and post a screen print of window.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

When you have the window open and in focus.

• Hold down 'Alt' key and press 'Prs Scr' key
• Open 'Paint'
• Use 'Ctrl'+'V' to paste the image into Paint
• Use the eraser to remove the user name which should be your full gmail email address.
• Save as a jpg image.
• Then post image in this forum question using the 'Add images' - 'Browse' button.

I'm assuming the info you posted could be a typo on your part. That error message is very specific, so you need to check Firewall. Have you allowed the thunderbird app in the 'Private' or 'Public' Network? Is your computer connecting to internet via the 'Private' or Public Network? For example: If you have allowed Thunderbird in the 'Private' one but you are using the 'Public' one, then Thunderbird will be blocked.

Check the Firewall is allowing the ports you want want to use in Thunderbird.

Thank you again for all your information. I have followed your instruction and now correctly included imap and smtp in the server names. In addition I have put my full email address in the user incoming and outgoing . Although my internet is private, I have marked in the firewall for both private and public access. The firewall specifically allows Thunderbird via C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe After manually correcting the server information as mentioned above, things seem to be moving in the right direction. On the Mail Account setup screen, the the message now reads...Thunderbird failed to find the settings for your email account. Again thank you so much, the end of the road now seems closed !!