Exchange Server 2003 incorrectly removes a server from Active Directory when you delete the server from a server policy

You use the Delete command or you press DELETE to remove a server from a server policy in the Exchange System Manager tool. When you do this, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 incorrectly removes the server from the Active Directory directory service. This action occurs without verification to determine whether the server is an active messaging server. For example, this server is removed without verifying the following items:

• Whether the server currently hosts mailboxes
• Whether any connectors are configured on the server

Additionally, if you delete the server from the server policy, you can no longer remove Exchange Server 2003 from the server by using the Exchange Server 2003 Setup program.

Note You experience this problem when Exchange Server 2003 is running in native mode.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

Because of file dependencies, you must have Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

For more information about how to create a server policy, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For more information about the terminology that Microsoft uses for software that is corrected after it is released, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.