By using ESM, it appears to be impossible to assign Client Permissions on a public folder to groups, users, and contact objects that are hidden from the GAL (msExchHideFromAddressLists=TRUE). Does anyone know if this is just the way it is, or if there is a work around (besides unhiding the object, assigning permissions, and hiding it again)? Thank you -EDIT- We are using Exchange Server 2003 SP2. David Summers

We can filter out these hidden objects from default GAL, and gather them into one special address list with restricted permission, which allows only exchange admin account to view. Then, we can assign the client permission via ESM. Please follow my post in this thread However, the method above is quite tricky I believe, and it would involve lots of change to the environment. So, heres another method if you are willing to using other tools besides the EMS The Custom Bulk Operation option in PFDAVAdmin can assign the client permission to other hidden objects a. Download PFDavAdmin b. Please follow the step 1-4 in this article to prepare the tool c. In the ESM, create one test public folder, and then grant your account with whatever permission that you will grant to the hidden objects d. Highlight the test public folder, go to Tools menu, click Export Permissions e. In the jumped window, change Scope to Selected folder and subfolders, click OK to save the permission f. Open the exported txt file, now we can add all hidden objects into it. But please follow the format in the txt file to add g. Now, we have the file, just need to import it to the public folder you like h. Back to PFDAVAdmin, highlight the public folder you want to grant the hidden objects to access i. Go to Tools menu, click Custom Bulk Operation j. In the jumped window, click Add button in the Operations field->Select Operation Type as Folder Permissions k. In the next window, select Import from file in the Input for Merge or Replace and click the button l. Locate the txt file you modified and click OK, the hidden objects will be granted with right permissions Notes: Please familiar the procedure in a lab at first. My lab is exchange 2003 SP2

James Thank you for your response. Both options look doable, so I will take them to our support guys and see which method they would prefer to use. David

Great! Please post at here if theres any update