{"id":324,"date":"2019-06-27T06:28:45","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T06:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greatmail.com\/blog\/?p=324"},"modified":"2025-10-23T22:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T22:46:11","slug":"best-windows-desktop-client-for-exchange-activesync","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatmail.com\/blog\/email-hosting\/best-windows-desktop-client-for-exchange-activesync\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Thunderbird with Exchange ActiveSync"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated: October 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

We look at lots of email clients and mobile apps. And while most mobile apps (Bluemail, BlackBerry Hub, Outlook and Gmail) work nicely with Exchange ActiveSync, the same unfortunately cannot be said for Windows desktop clients. In 2025, this challenge continues, though we now have a few solid workarounds. (Not sure if your hosting supports these protocols? Check our email hosting checklist<\/a> for key questions to ask.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a result of performance issues, Microsoft discontinued\u00a0support for Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)\u00a0in Outlook 2016\u00a0making it difficult\u00a0to sync email, calendars and contacts. That\u00a0move left many desktop PC users\u00a0looking\u00a0outside the box\u00a0alternatives to\u00a0Outlook.<\/p>\n

There are lots of desktop email clients \u2013 emClient, BlueMail, and Mailbird to name a few. And while most of these modern clients support Microsoft Exchange Server, most of them do not include support for generic EAS (the kind used by non-Exchange groupware servers). Enter Mozilla Thunderbird.<\/p>\n

Thunderbird might actually be the first and oldest Outlook alternative, and it also provides a stable EAS solution.<\/p>\n

Setting Up Thunderbird with Exchange ActiveSync<\/h2>\n

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Here’s how it works.\u00a0 By default, Thunderbird supports POP3 and IMAP connections for email, and using IMAP you can sync your email to\u00a0your\u00a0preferred\u00a0IMAP mail server.\u00a0To synchronize\u00a0calendars and contacts, all you have to do is install a simple little Thunderbird Add-on called TbSync which uses EAS and\/or CalDAV\/CardDAV protocols to connect to your Groupware server.<\/p>\n

Note for 2025:<\/strong> TbSync works with Thunderbird versions 136.0 through 140.0. If you’re running a bleeding-edge beta or daily build beyond version 140, stick with the stable release to ensure compatibility.<\/p>\n

To make the EAS connection, you will need to enter your groupware server name, email address and password.<\/p>\n

Here is a link to download Thunderbird:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.thunderbird.net\/en-US\/<\/a><\/p>\n

After you get it installed, you can get the TbSync Add-on by clicking the menu icon and clicking Add-ons \/ Get Add-ons.\u00a0 Search for tbsync and then add each of the following add-ons: 1) TbSync and 2) Provider for Exchange ActiveSync.<\/p>\n

Don’t Overlook Your Webmail Option<\/h2>\n

Before you dive into desktop client setup, take a look at your email provider’s webmail interface. Modern groupware webmail has come a long way, and it might be all you need.<\/p>\n

For example, if you’re using Greatmail’s groupware hosting, you have access to SOGo Webmail, which includes:<\/p>\n