ALL Exchange server support IMAP and POP as well as SMTP. The default install does not enable the protocols, but they are but a single setting away from available. So remember you lack of assistance is policy based not a lack of capability.

For situations where you must use exchange, there is davmail http://davmail.sourceforge.net/index.html and there is also an add-on for Thunderbird. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/exquilla-exchange-web-services Note that the addon is not always going to be free.

That's extremely helpful - thank you.

I have now been told that I can access Exchange 2019 using IMAP and SMTP via Thunderbird although I had to keep re-framing the question and ask it upteen times.

Getting clarity from the hosting company on this has been like pulling teeth.

Btw, I opened a new premium Exchange 2019 account with C not affected by the migration referred to in my question.

C told me that flat out that I couldn't connect to Exchange 2019 with using Outlook 2007. That isn't correct. You can't set up an Exchange mailbox hosted by them with Outlook 2007 as the client using a method absent in their "knowledge base": there are working IMAP and SMTP settings that I found by trial and error.

if I may say so, Matt, "So remember you lack of assistance is policy based not a lack of capability" puts it very well.

Finally, the answer might well present itself as soon as I install Thunderbird but in case not.... when you say: "The default install does not enable the protocols, but they are but a single setting away from available" - could you further oblige by pointing me to that setting?

Thanks again.

JC

It is the default install of exchange that does not enable IMAP POP or SMTP.

You will find on install of Thunderbird that when you try and set up your accounts it will detect the exchange server and offer to install the add-on. At least that is what I read in the bug that implemented the change. I understand the change is in Thunderbird 68.

Thanks again - understood. I believe that the hosting provider's Exchange server is IMAP/SMTP enabled. But all their responses to a support ticket have been as clear as dense fog on a very foggy day. I'll have to wait and see what happens when the migrate to Exchange 2019.

Matt said

ALL Exchange server support IMAP and POP as well as SMTP. The default install does not enable the protocols, but they are but a single setting away from available. So remember you lack of assistance is policy based not a lack of capability. For situations where you must use exchange, there is davmail http://davmail.sourceforge.net/index.html and there is also an add-on for Thunderbird. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/exquilla-exchange-web-services Note that the addon is not always going to be free.

Brilliant! Just the one click and it worked "einwandfrei"

Thanks P

I have a related issue. We use an Exchange server. I far prefer Thunderbird to Outlook, so I have resisted switching for years. Our IT people told us today as of about October 2020 Microsoft will deprecate support for IMAP. Even before that, we will be forced to use MFA for email access, and we are told that IMAP doesn't support MFA, so we will be forced from using IMAP. Is Owl the preferred add-on the TB to allow access to continue? What can I tell my appropriately security-conscious administrators who would much prefer that we all standardize on Outlook?