Viewing other users mailboxes on Windows Mail

[Russ & Lyn]

Hello All,

I recently purchased a new PC with Windows Vista (R) Home Premium + Windows
Mail pre-installed. I set up Vista with two users, both on administrator
status. Both users use the same common email address & ISP provider to send
& receive emails. When either user connects to Windows Mail the new emails
download into their user mailbox & the other user cannot view them. I wish
to configure Windows Mail so emails will download into both users mailboxes
at the same time, irrespective of which user is logged on. This is required
so either user can view all the emails received & can reply to any of them.
Could anyone advise me how to do this please.

Thanks

Russ

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

In both User Accounts:

WinMail Tools | Accounts | Mail | [email account] | Propertie | Advanced |
Delivery | Leave a copy of messages on server (check)

WinMail Tools | Accounts | Mail | [email account] | Propertie | Advanced |
Delivery | Delete from server when deleted from "Deleted Items" (checkl;
optionial).

In one User Account:

WinMail Tools | Accounts | Mail | [email account] | Propertie | Advanced |
Delivery | Delete from server after XX days (check)

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

If both users are checking the same email account, whichever
one completes its email download first will make those emails
unavailable to the second PC. To fix that problem, go to Tools,
Accounts, select your mail account, Properties, Advanced,
select "Leave a copy of messages on server." Depending on how
much server space your ISP allows, you may want to select one or
both of the two associated 'remove' options.

Repeat the above for the second user.

 

[Russ & Lyn]

Hello again,

After reading two replies to my query I realised I had made an error in
explaining
what I wanted to do.
The two users are on the same physical PC & what I really want is this -
when
either user downloads emails I want them to be downloaded just the once into
a
common area which either user can access.
Can Windows Mail be set up to download into a public folder which either
user may access?
If so, how do I set this up?

Regards

Russ

 

[Rainald Taesler]

After reading two replies to my query I realised I had made an error
in explaining what I wanted to do.
The two users are on the same physical PC & what I really want is
this - when either user downloads emails I want them to be
downloaded just the once into a common area which either user can
access.
Can Windows Mail be set up to download into a public folder which
either user may access?

Although is a quite unusual wish, it can be done.

Easiest way would be to use IMAP (instead if POP3) . Ask your provider
if they offer this service.
The main advantage if IMAP - which is handled really fine by WinMail
(far better than by Outlook) -: All the folders for the mail-storage are
held on the provider's mail-server and therefore the complete data in
the mail store can be reached from everywhere (as many computers/users)
as one needs. And things can be seen 1:1.

If so, how do I set this up?

If can not use an IMAP account, do the following:
1.) Create a new folder for the Mail-store in C:\Users\Public, f.e:
C:\Users\Public\Mail.

2.) Grant full permissions to both users:
- Right-click in the folder, from the context menu select
"Properties";
- In the tabbed page "Security" add both users and activate
full access and all other rights for both users.

3.) In the WinMail settings for both users (under both accounts) set the
location of the mail store to C:\Users\Public\Mail:
Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance |

HTH
If any further questions just ask.

Rainald

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

No, that is not possible.
Windows Mail encrypts mail server passwords with a hash that is
unique to each user. When multiple users attempt to access the
same mail store it corrupts the stored passwords.
I suggest converting to an IMAP or HTTP mail account if you don't
want duplicate mail stores.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Hello Russ & Lynn,
I had tested my recipe prior to posting.
I did overlook the password problem, however. I'm sorry for this
mistake.

As Gary said, there will be a problem with the password when more than
one users tries to work with the same mail store.
This does not mean that the way I suggested would not be usable at all.
But it means that each time one contacts the mail-server for the first
time in a session, the password-entry dialog appears and one has to
enter the name and the password.

If you could live with that, the way would be viable.

It would be better, however, to use IMAP as I had suggested.

Rainald

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Thanks for pointing to the password problem and the explanation.
It's not really a showstopper as entering the data in the password entry
dialog is necessary only once in a session.
Not too comfortable but one could possibly live with it.

For sure working with IMAP - as I had suggest - would be the better way.
But even doing so one will have duplicate mail stores locally.

Rainald

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Yes, it's doable, depending on how many accounts there are.
I have 10, so I'm not about to try that method.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Yes, it's doable, depending on how many accounts there are.
I have 10, so I'm not about to try that method.

LOL

And I'm pretty sure that you would not set up a system in a way that
several other users would work with your mail store(s) <gbg>.

Rainald

 

[Russ & Lyn]

Thank you to Rainald Taesler & Gary VanderMolen for your assistance with
this issue which you provided about one month ago.
Due to other pressing commitments I have only just addressed this matter
again. I have stayed with the POP3 server & used the Public mail folder
configuration.
Following your instructions I had no trouble setting it up & it worked
immediately. As you both said the user has to enter the username & password
at the beginning of each session.
My wife & I are the only users & we will have no trouble living with this.
This is the first time I have gone to MS Communities for assistance & I was
very impressed with the promptness & quality of the replies. Should I strike
any more issues I cannot resolve I will certainly go there again.
A good outcome!
Thanks again

Russ

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

You're very welcome. Thanks for reporting back.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Just returned from a longer holiday:
Thanks for your success report.

Glad to hear that I could be of help.

Rainald