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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallClaws Mail is a GTK-based desktop email client and news reader for people who want to manage email accounts, read or post to Usenet, and tailor the client with plugins. It supports common mail protocols and offers features such as message filtering, threading, search, and GnuPG integration. It does not compose HTML email, and its calendar and other personal-information-management features are not a full replacement for a dedicated PIM.
What Claws Mail does
The Claws Mail project describes it as “an email client (and news reader), based on GTK+.” It stores mail in the standard MH format and describes tools for importing from and exporting to other email clients. The interface is designed for keyboard use, and plugins provide some functions beyond core email and news reading. Claws Mail project overview
It is desktop software, not a webmail service. You configure it to connect to your mail provider, then use it to read, write, organize, and send messages from your computer.
Mail, Usenet, and other features
The project’s feature list includes the following. Feature availability can depend on the platform, build, dependencies, or plugins loaded. Claws Mail features
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- Email accounts and organization: multiple accounts, threaded message display, filters, per-folder processing, drafts, templates, queued messages, and automated mail checking.
- Protocols and security: POP3, SMTP, IMAP4rev1, and NNTP with SSL support; GnuPG integration through GPGME; and user-defined message headers.
- News and attachments: Usenet news reading and posting, plus MIME attachment handling.
- Everyday tools: search, an address book, printing, spell checking, an image viewer, LDAP recipient completion, offline synchronization, and configurable notifications.
- Extensions: a plugin system for functions such as RSS aggregation and calendar support.
Who Claws Mail suits
Claws Mail is worth considering if you want a desktop client that combines email and Usenet, supports multiple accounts and filtering, or can be extended with plugins. It may also suit people who prefer a keyboard-accessible interface and local mail management.
Before choosing it, check the requirements that matter to your workflow:
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- Whether your email provider’s connection and authentication setup works with your installation.
- Whether you need to read or post to Usenet, or want RSS through an available plugin.
- Whether the plugins you need are available for your operating system and build.
- Whether you require HTML email composition or extensive built-in calendar and contact-management features.
Important limitations
No HTML email composition
The Claws Mail User Manual states that the program does not let users compose and send HTML email. If your workplace or recipients require formatted HTML messages, this is a significant reason to choose another client. Claws Mail User Manual
Not a complete personal information manager
The manual also says Claws Mail is not a full-featured personal information manager like Evolution or Outlook. Plugins can add some related functionality, but the project does not present Claws Mail itself as a complete integrated calendar and PIM suite.
Windows availability and version information
The official Windows downloads page listed 32-bit and 64-bit installers for version 4.4.0 and identified 4.4.0 as the latest release, dated 9 March 2026. The page says the 4.x release series uses GTK+ 3, while 3.x uses GTK+ 2. Its listed Windows plugins include notification, PDF viewer, PGP/S/MIME, RSSyl, SpamReport, TNEF Parser, and vCalendar; the page says these are integrated with the main download but must be loaded in the plugin configuration. Check the project’s download page for current availability and release information. Claws Mail Windows downloads
The FAQ describes build requirements for POSIX-compliant Unix-like systems, naming Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and Mac OS X, with GTK requirements varying by release branch. That is build guidance, not a guarantee that the project currently supplies an official installer for each system. Claws Mail FAQ
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Configure an account and troubleshoot connection problems
Start with the account settings and setup guidance for your provider. The official FAQ includes topics on Gmail, OAuth2, SSL/TLS certificate verification, Exchange, and Tor, alongside installation and configuration, filtering, plugins, and message composition. Claws Mail FAQ
If Gmail POP retrieval or sending fails
The FAQ addresses the question, “Claws Mail doesn’t retrieve emails from my Gmail (POP3) account. Sending messages doesn’t work either. What can I do?” Use that Gmail guidance to check both incoming POP and outgoing SMTP configuration, authentication, and security settings rather than assuming that a successful setup for one direction covers the other.
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For the Gmail POP scenario, the installation and configuration FAQ warns that enabling “Remove messages on server when received” can remove retrieved messages from Gmail’s “All emails” folder and make them unavailable in the Gmail web interface. Confirm the effect of this setting for your account before changing it. Claws Mail installation and configuration FAQ
Use the relevant FAQ topic for other errors
For certificate-verification failures, OAuth2, Exchange, or Tor, follow the matching official FAQ topic. Avoid bypassing certificate checks or weakening account security as a general fix; use the provider’s supported authentication and connection settings.
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