Exchange 2010 Install and Forest Functional Level
I'm trying to install Exchange 2010 on a Windows 2008 R2 Data Center. I continue to get the following error: Organization Prerequisites Failed Error: The forest functional level of the current Active Directory forest is not Windows Server 2003 native or later. To install Exchange Server 2010, the forest functional level must be at least Windows Server 2003 native.I've raised the forest functional level to Windows 2008 R2. Butyet I continue to have this issue.Within my domain Ihave 3 Windows 2008 R2Data CenterServers in my domainand 1 Windows 2008 memeber sever which containsan Exchange 2007 SP2 server. My goal is to move all my mail boxes to Exchange 2010.However, I can't install it because of theforest functional level error that I'm receiving.There is no virutalizationinvolved.Thanks
November 13th, 2009 6:43am

I figured it out. I needed to raise the Forest Functional level and the Domain functional level. They are seperate as I found out. Thanks
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November 13th, 2009 7:04am

I got it to work on DataCenter. Just because it is not in the list doesn't mean it isn't supported.
December 23rd, 2009 5:11pm

On Wed, 23-Dec-09 22:11:45 GMT, NerdieDude wrote:>I got it to work on DataCenter. Just because it is not in the list doesn't mean it isn't supported. Oh, but it does mean it isn't supported! Don't confuse 'working' and'supported'. The 'supported' part means that MS has tested all aspectsof Exchange running on that platform. They haven't done this. Thatmeans it isn't a supported configuration.---Rich MatheisenMCSE+I, Exchange MVP--- Rich Matheisen MCSE+I, Exchange MVP
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December 23rd, 2009 9:42pm

Hi, I also successfully installed Ex2010 on Windows 2008 R2 Datacenter edition. Here is my thread which I posted when I was having problems in installing Ex2010 on that Windows edition. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/exchange2010/thread/8ad06009-bc89-438b-b6fb-55bffbc90178 Regards,Laeeq Qazi|Snr Software Engineer(Exchange + Sharepoint + BES + DynamicsCRM) www.HostingController.com
December 24th, 2009 3:04am

I have this same problem, and the functional leve has been risen on both Windows 2003 SBS and Windows 2008 R2 Standard server to Windows 2003 and native has been selected. I can't get the install to work. Organization Prerequisites Failed Error: The forest functional level of the current Active Directory forest is not Windows Server 2003 native or later. To install Exchange Server 2010, the forest functional level must be at least Windows Server 2003 native.
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July 11th, 2010 2:43pm

I had this exact same problem. After giving up searching for it, I eventually found that it was a problem with the forest functional level. Most of the documentation talks about raising the domain functional level (from the AD USers and Computers console), but nothing is said about having to also raise the forst functional level (in Active Directory Domains and Trusts). Once I did this, I got past the prerequesites section and was able to install the software correctly.
July 21st, 2011 11:25am

I think it does not related to Data Center Edition If you install win 2k8 r2 from cd that has 4 edition in it in vmware , select the end option (I install os later ...) that it allow you select what version you install, If you install automatically from cd it install data center edition automatically. I have this problem when I have 2003 domain controller and upgrade it for 2008 environment by dcprep command in 2008 r2 support folder(in dvd source) and I search now what is this problem;)
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July 26th, 2011 4:11am

I solved it: step 1: adprep In domain controller 2003 insert dvd 2008 r2 and in coomand prompt go to cd path (cd path)\support\adprep enter aprep.exe /? or adprep32.exe /? to see help for adprep for 2008 (for example adprep.exe /forestprep or adprep32.exe /forestprep, and other command must be run) step 2: raise forest functional level in domain controller 2003 go to: 1-Administrative tool>Active Directory Domain and Trust 2-Right click at the top on Active Directory Domain and Trust 3-Raise Forest Functional Level it is ok you raise only domain functinal level in exchange server 2007 istallation and not raise forest functional level . by step 2 you raise forest functional level
August 1st, 2011 4:32am

Something is buggy here... Both my "Domain Functional Level" & "Forrest Functional Level" were both set to Windows 2003. I was aware of the domain level but not the forest level. I raised the forest level again and was able to get past the error? Organization Prerequisites Failed Error: The forest functional level of the current Active Directory forest is not Windows Server 2003 native or later. To install Exchange Server 2010, the forest functional level must be at least Windows Server 2003 native.
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August 19th, 2011 2:50am

Hi, I've a migration from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 SP1 And what solve my problem was just to raise the forest functionnal level like you explain it.
December 20th, 2011 9:59am

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