University Computer Help Desk

How to send from an email alias in Thunderbird

You can configure Thunderbird to use an email alias as the reply-to address when sending email.

If you have an email alias, you can configure Thunderbird to use that email address as the reply-to address when sending email.

Example of When to Send From an Email Alias

Reggie Redbird's department has the email alias, illinoisathletes@ilstu.edu. Reggie receives email sent to illinoisathletes@ilstu.edu in his regular rrredbi@ilstu.edu account. When he replies to those emails, he wants the messages to come from illinoisathletes@ilstu.edu instead of from his personal email account. Thunderbird can be configured to do this for Reggie.

Configure Thunderbird with an Identity

To configure Thunderbird so you can send email from an email alias, do the following:

  1. Launch Thunderbird.
  2. Click Tools > Account Settings...
  3. Select your ISU email address on the left.
    • You need to click on your actual email address on the left (i.e. yourULID@ilstu.edu).
  4. Click the Manage Identities... button.
  5. Click Add...
  6. Complete the Identity Settings page as follows:
    • Your Name: Type a name for the email alias. This name will appear when you send email using the alias.
    • Email Address: Type the address of the email alias.
  7.  Click OK three times to the open windows.

 Thunderbird is now configured with a second email address you can use when sending email or replying to email.

Send Email using an Identity

To send email using the alias address, do the following:

  1. Click Write to compose a new email message.
  2. Click the From: drop-down menu located beneath the Send button and select the email alias from the list of accounts.
  3. Compose your message like normal and send it. The email will be sent from the address you selected. You should send a test message to yourself or a friend to confirm this is working as expected.

Article Information

  • Article ID: 1489
  • Last Review: Mar 11, 2009
  • Type: Instructions

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