Exchange 2000 Public Folders Are Mail-Enabled by Default in Mixed Mode

When you create a new public folder in Exchange 2000, the folder is automatically displayed in the Global Address List. If you start Exchange System Manager, and then right-click the folders, only the Mail Enable option is displayed under All Tasks. However, the folder is already mail-enabled.

If you click Mail Enable on the folder, you may receive the following error message: As a result of this behavior, a very large number of folders may be in the Global Address List, and you may not be able to remove them from this list easily.

This issue may occur if Exchange 2000 is currently running in Mixed mode. When you create public folders in Mixed mode, directory objects are created for that folder. As a result, the folders are mail-enabled by default. Exchange System Manager does not see the mail-enabled state of the folder properly when Exchange 2000 is running in Mixed mode.

To resolve this issue, use any of the methods described in this section.

Method One: Switch Exchange 2000 to Native Mode

WARNING: Use this method on your own risk. Deleting one of directory entries that Exchange 2000 needs for operation can cause unpredictable problems with Exchange 2000.

After you switch the server to Native mode, you can make the folders mail-disabled. In addition, you can propagate the mail-disabled property of the folder to the child folders:

1. In Exchange System Manager, right-click the folder that has the mail-enabled settings that you want to propagate down the tree.
2. Click All Tasks, and then click Propagate Settings.
3. Click to select the Mail Enabled check box, and then click OK.

Method Two: Hide the Folder from the Global Address List

1. In Exchange System Manager, open the properties of the public folder that you want to hide.
2. Click the Exchange Advanced tab, click to select the Hide from Exchange Address List check box, and then click OK.

After you complete this procedure, the folder is hidden from the Global Address List. The actual e-mail address is not removed from the folder; it is still a mail-enabled folder.

Method Three: Delete the Directory Objects for the Folders That You Do Not Want Mail-Enabled

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
2. On the View menu, click Advanced Features.
3. Navigate to the Microsoft Exchange System Objects container.
   
   In the right pane, directory objects for public folders that are mail-enabled are displayed.
4. Delete the directory objects for the folders that you do not want mail-enabled.

For additional information about the consequences of switching Exchange 2000 to Native mode, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: