Since the budget for this was negligible, I searched around for free solutions that could support this type of setup.  I decided to set it up using the new Windows Live Mesh program that comes with Windows Live Essentials, and that works with the Windows Cloud.

The setup in itself was very easy and straightforward.  I downloaded the client on the main computer, installed the Live Mesh application whilst ignoring the other application options, and setup the login with a new Windows Live account.

Once the application was installed, all I had to do was a simple folder synchronization by choosing the folder with the documents, and setting up the sync with SkyDrive, Microsoft’s free online storage.  The program then proceeded to upload all the documents in the folder to the SkyDrive, therefore providing the backup functionality that was needed.  Once completed, I setup the Live Mesh client on the other two computers, then saw the shared Documents folder from the main computer, and setup the synchronization with a local folder on the computer, the client downloaded all the files to the respective folders.

Additionally, there was also a feature to synchronize the Internet Explorer favourites; as well as a Microsoft Office synchronization feature that allowed styles, templates, custom dictionary and email signatures to be transferred to the other computers.

The installation, configuration and synchronization of roughly 5,000 files, taking up roughly 400 megabytes of data, took less than an hour.

In the end, I was quite pleased with the simplicity of the new Live Mesh application, and I then decided to setup it up on my own computer to sync documents to my laptop.

You are typing away in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint or Word, and midway through your text you realize that your CAPS LOCK is on.  Standard reflex is to erase all the CAPS and retype.

Fortunately, there is a feature to convert capitalized text.

Let’s say you type the following sentence with CAPS LOCK on:

• I AM A LEAF ON THE WIND. WATCH HOW I SOAR.

To correct, select the text, and press “Shift & F3″.

Using it once will give you:

• i am a leaf on the wind. watch how i soar.

Using it twice will give you:

• I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how i soar.

Hopefully this prevents you from having to retype long sentences…

Method 1

1. Start Windows Explorer
2. Go into “Tools”, “Folder Options”
3. Go to the “View” tab
4. Unselect “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”
5. Click “Apply” and “OK”

Method 2

1. Start Registry Editor (regedit)
2. For Windows Server:
   Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
   For Windows Workstation:
   Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. Set value of “ShowSuperHidden” to 1
4. Click “OK”
5. Exit Registry Editor

Note: You should always backup your registry before making any changes.

This will sound strange, but it works!!!

Important!!
Since we will deliberately corrupting the PST file, I strongly suggest that you make a copy of it first!

Step 1
Download a free ‘HEX Editor’. I’ve used the HDD HEX Editor.

Step 2
After making a copy of your PST file, open it with the HEX Editor. Delete the positions (using the space bar) 7 through 13.
(00007 – 00008 – 00009 – 0000a – 0000b – 0000c – 0000d – 0000e – 0000f – 00010 – 00011 – 00012 – 00013)

The HEX Editor will display the code “20″ for each position deleted.

Once done, save your PST file. It is now corrupted.

Step 3
Now, open up the ‘Inbox Repair Tool’ (scanpst.exe). The program is usually stored here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\NT

The program will scan the PST, then make a backup. After the backup is done, it will repair the PST file.

For more information about this program, see: Microsoft Knowledge Base article 287497.

Step 4
Once complete, you can open the PST file with Outlook, and you will find your deleted emails have been restored!