We have two Exchange servers, one being 2003 and the other being 2007. It's time to retire the 2003 server; that is, shut down the server permanently. There is some concern over how this will affect the 2007 Exchange Server and what (if anything) will be left in Active Directory. Our process is fairly simple: 1) Stop the Exchange Services on the 2003 instance. 2) Uninstall Exchange 2003 from the target server. 3) Power off server. In theory, the uninstallation of Exchange 2003 should take care of all entries in AD, but is there a means by which to verify no orphans (groups, accounts, objects) remain? Thanks in advance for any advice or documentation on this item. -Todd

If all the responsibilities of Mail is Completely and Sucessfully moved to Exchange 2007 Uninstall will work . It will error out if you have missed something from removing from Exchange 2003. Needs careful attention for mailflow. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb288905(EXCHG.80).aspx The process normally used is Disabling the Exchange 2003 server for few days followed by Switching off the server and monitor performance and finally gracefully uninstalling it. http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/migration-deployment/removing-last-exchange-2003-server-exchange-2007-part1.html

Removal of Exchange won't take care of everything, however Exchange won't let you uninstall as long as it can find orphan objects. Groups won't be orphans since there's nothing in them that relate to any server. Microsoft KB article 152959 is old, but it covers things you should look for to make sure that you've moved the functions to Exchange 2007. This is a better article for you, I think: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb288905(EXCHG.80).aspx Ed Crowley MVP "There are seldom good technological solutions to behavioral problems."

Thank you, gentlemen. This has been most helpful! -Todd