Microsoft Office Outlook, Starus bar - How do I get it to indicate unread message total ?

1. Request an unread Receipt - get an alert indicating email unread - Microsoft Office Outlook

2. Logon screen indicates that I have unread messages incorrectly

Frequently, I see that I have unread messages indicated under my user account 
name in the logon screen just to go to Outlook and find that there really 
aren't any.  Why?

3. Inbox is empty but indicates 4 unread messages

4. Outlook Express Message count - total versus read/unread

Background:

By design (I think), Outlook Express 6 shows a count of unread messages
on the left navigator, next to each folder name. The folders do not
show the count of total or read messages next to the folder name. Thus,
if all messages in a folder have been read, there won't be a numerical
display next to the folder name at all.

Now, if a user wants to see more message count information, and VIEW ->
LAYOUT -> BASIC -> "Status Bar" is checked, the status bar at the
bottom of Outlook Express window will appear, and display the total
message count and how many messages are unread. However, this display
in the status bar is always only true for the currently opened folder
("the one the user has clicked on").

Question:

Is it correct that these two methods to read message count information
for folders in Outlook Express are the only methods?

A client suggests that there is another way, and that the total count
actually can appear next to the folder. I have searched in the
properties, but wonder whether this is even possible.

Thanks much!