How to sync Microsoft Outlook Express 2010?

[kalvindeane]

A friend asked me to install Outlook Express 2010 onto his two new computers, note that they are not in the same area, and are not sharing the same network. Both computers can log on to the same email address simultaneously, however, he has told me that when he adds or deletes one of his email folders from one computer, it doesn't have any effect on the other computer. Outlook doesn't seem to have any built in synchronizer, so I did what anyone does when they are unsure of what to do: I googled it!

Googling the problem confirms that there is no built in synchronizing feature, and that a 3rd party program/addon is required. Unless they are using the same network, in which case both computers can be programmed to use files from the network rather than their own HDD. As said earlier, the two computers are not sharing the same network. The only 3rd party programs that I found on google required a purchase, and the guy isn't willing to pay for it.

Bearing in mind that neither of the computers is on 24/7, is there a way of syncing the two Outlook Express' with freeware, or some form of VPN that will work? I'm guessing that since neither computer is on 24/7, and therefore neither can be a dedicated server hoster, a VPN will not work.

E: Just realized that one of the computers is usually the first to be switched on and the last to be switched off. Would creating a VPN on that machine work? That way as long as it is on, the second computer could use the Express files? I'm thinking that it will work, though the second computer would require the first one to be running in order to use the files, so that would mean the second computer would require the first one to be turned on and running the VPN in order to use his email in Outlook Express?

 

[Uhtred]

what mail provider does he use? it sounds like you are using pop to download emails, using imap will solve this

 

[kalvindeane]

He's using an email address provided by the local company he bought the pc from.

E: I didn't know what pop/imap are, not done this sort of thing before, googled them, and I think it does use imap. I've been to see both computers since I posted this originally, and I'm about to head over there again in the next 20 minutes or so. It seems that when he tried Outlook on both computers, his folders were showing correctly on both. He said that it was only when he tried deleting some of the folders on one computer that he had a problem. The second computer still has the folders listed, but obviously they don't exist anymore and he is getting errors about them when he starts Outlook.

Since both computers did show the folders correctly, I'm guessing that he's done something wrong himself which needs correcting, rather than there being a problem with the computers syncing which is what he first told me.